Today started off bright and sunny and we drove south from Chambery to the Col de Marcieu above the Isere.? From here we climbed steadily through the woods until we were below the imposing limestone escarpment that guards the Chatreuse high plateau.? The path zig-zagged it’s way along ledges in the cliffs before reaching the Passage d’Aulp de Seuil at 1860m.
Looking eastwards we could see not only Mont Blanc in the distance but the chain of the Belledonne, the Lauziere and down to the Pic de l’Etendard.? Way in the distance the Mont Aiguille stuck out above Grenoble.
We lost height as we followed a path into the shallow valley of the Aulp de Seuil passing a large herd of cows.? Are goal was to reach the Col de Bellefont at the valley head and as we gained heigh gradually we saw a number of chamois on the slopes below the Crete des Lances de Mallissard.
The ground steepened as we approached the col and when we got there the wind made itself felt.? We found some shelter and had something to eat with views of the Chamechaude (2082m)? and the Charmant Son (1867m).
On our return we saw further chamois an animal that I always enjoy seeing with it’s graceful, assured movement on steep ground.? A true “montagnard”!
