The Vallon du Clou is located in the upper Tarentaise (Savoie) valley in the commune of St Foy-Tarentaise. The commune has tried to have annulled the classification of the valley so that it can create more downhill ski pistes and install ski lifts. The good news is the ?Conseil d’Etat? has recognised the need to protect the whole of the Vallon du Clou.
Environment
Are Mountain Bikes Sustainable in the Mountains?
I enjoy cycling, mainly on the road, and some mountain biking however I have reservations about the use of mountain bikes on footpaths (there’s a clue in the name) in the mountains.
I encountered mountain bike riders on the TMB and my reservations were towards were reinforced.? ?Fragile? ground e.g. soft ground or areas covered in alpine plants is rapidly damaged by the passage of just a few mountain bikes. Their passage is immediately obvious on the ground; groooves cut into the ground providing channels for water and subsequent erosion. Yes, the passage of walkers also causes erosion however not at the same rate. Studies have been carried out although the objectivity of some must be called into question. Alpine vegetation, especially above 1800m has a hard time surviving with a very short growing season). Any damage will take a long time to recover; if indeed it ever does.
Conflict with other, existing, users is also an issue. I had walked past a substantial flock of sheep climbing to the Col de la Seigne. A small group of mountain bikers road at high speed through the herd of sheep scattering them across the hillside. The shepherd was understandably upset, shouting at them.
The same mountain bikers then headed down the path towards me. I stayed on the path. The traditional etiquette in the mountains is that those descending give way to those coming up; as clearly it’s more of an effort. The expectation of the mountain was that I would ?jump? out of the way. Sadly it appears that the mentality of (at least some) is similar to that of car drivers with cyclists ? might is right.
It’s interesting to read that there’s a ?Mountain Bikers Charter? that clearly states that pedestrians have priority and to pass slowly or even get off. I chatted with a French Accompagnatrice from the Chamonix Guides bureau (who was on her 12th Tour du Mont Blanc of the year) and I was pleased that she was entirely in agreement over incompatibility of mountain biking on the TMB.
I don’t believe that mountain bikes in the mountains is a sustainable activity apart from on prepared and designated trails. The Vanoise National Park already forbids mountain biking apart from on a few name tracks. Why? The Park feels that mountain biking and the peaceful enjoyment of the park by walkers is not comptable. I happen to think they are right.
The Tour du Mont Blanc – Sustainable?
I’ve guided walking groups on the Tour du Mont Blanc on several occasions this summer. A question keeps coming up in my head, ?Is this sustainable??
The number of individuals and groups walking the Tour du Mont Blanc is enormous. I have heard the figure of 10,000 over a summer season. It is difficult, perhaps almost impossible, to find solitude.
The Tour du Mont Blanc is a great walk, deservedly so, taking in three countries, France, Italy and Switzerland as it makes its way around the Mont Blanc massif (mountain range). However there are a great many other walks in the Alps both in France, Switzerland and Italy. In my view the Tour du Mont Blanc has become a ?bucket list? item. An item to ?tick off?, to be bragged about at the dinner table.
The pressure on the Tour du Mont Blanc has been added to by the increasing popularity of mountain bikes or VTT to the mix. The Tour du Mont Blanc started life as a long-distance walking route. The erosion of so many people is clear to see. However, in my view, mountain bikes erode fragile ground at a vastly increased rate. Why, mountain bike tyres create linear ?grooves? particularly in damp ground or mud. Ground water or rain then naturally follows the resulting groove carrying away soil and other material. I’ve seen the grooves cut into the ground by just one or two mountain bikes to see the effect. Mountain bikes tend to want to ride in straightlines downhill frequently taking short-cuts rather than zig-zagging. This also exacerbates erosion. I always educate my clients to avoid taking short-cuts for this reason. The co-existence of mountain bikers and walkers is another matter. I’ve come across very considerate riders; often with a mountain bike guide and those who feel ?might is right? and expect walkers to jump out of the way. What happened to the old etiquette in the mountains of giving way to those walking up?
Trail running is now big business. The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) has become enormous and trail running itself highly fashionable. In 2016 there are 2300 participants on just the UTMB. It is interesting to see how the big brands have latched on to this event. I’ve run in the mountains in my younger days for pleasure and enjoy the liberating feeling of moving fast in the mountains. However I feel that the mountains are demeaned by becoming a ?running track?. Mountains, for me, are to be savoured and not to become a competitive arena.