Alittlebitoutoffocus

Alittlebitoutoffocus

This is another of my favourite walks, which I normally do from Arolla but, for a change, I thought I’d do it in the opposite direction. Parking at La Gouille has become a bit of an issue, due to the number of visitors, so I decided to set off a little further down the road, from Satarma.

I was about three-quarters of the way to the hut, when I heard a rustling sound to my left. A parapentist was sorting out his gear and getting ready to fly. So I paused and decided to take a video. If anyone has not seen them taking off, it’s quite a tense moment, for the observer anyway. So I’ve added it at the end of this post. (Note that there was quite a lot of background wind noise, even though there was hardly any wind, so I’ve set it to play muted).

8 responses

  1. Jet Eliot Avatar
    Jet Eliot

    What a glorious adventure you embarked on, Mike, thanks for taking us along. The majestic Alps and all your new-found friends along the way from cows to the marmot, so many magnificent butterflies, and then the hang-glider too! I appreciate your captions under the photo, and enjoyed the slide show. Many times I did not see the mountain huts at first, and looked again with your guidance in the caption. Also really enjoyed the video. Wow, what faith hang-gliding in those isolated mountains entails!

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      I’m glad you enjoyed the gallery. I sometimes wonder whether I should write more detail in the Caption area, but I try to get most of the relevant info into the photo ‘name’. Though WP has a horrible habit of inserting hyphens and not reproducing any accents or special characters correctly. (I’m sure it didn’t used to). I saw the parapentist land to the right of the hut and he was there when I arrived at the hut. (It can feed and sleep up to 80 people btw so not really a ‘hut’ as you might know it). Anyway, I told him about the video and he seemed keen to have a copy of that and the photos, so I gave him a card I’ve had printed (for just such occasions). But he’s not emailed me yet. He took off again shortly after I left the hut and I took picture 23 and another short video. (Let’s hope he’s OK!)

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  2. Jane Lurie Avatar
    Jane Lurie

    Stunning and magnificent scenery, Mike. Your photos took me away on a much needed vacation. 🙂 Your butterfly photos are beautiful, too!

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      Thank you Jane. I’m glad you enjoyed the photos and an (all too short) vacation! I’ll see what I can do to extend your holiday in the coming days/weeks. 😊

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  3. bayphotosbydonna Avatar
    bayphotosbydonna

    Lovely, Mike! Goodness, I was tense watching the video of the glider, what an experience that must be! You calling the huge house a mountain hut made me giggle. Nice ‘hut’!!! 🙂

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      Yes, we tend to call them ‘huts’ but they do feed and sleep quite a few people, so it can be misleading. But I wouldn’t want to call them hotels either! The sleeping arrangements can be all in one or two big rooms. Though some of the newer (or upgraded) ones now have separate rooms for 4, 8 or maybe 12. They do put them in some amazing places though!

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  4. Sandra Avatar
    Sandra

    Tremendous topography here! And the movie had me to n the edge of my seat! The flowers are even unique. Thank you for this getaway Mike!

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    1. Alittlebitoutoffocus Avatar
      Alittlebitoutoffocus

      You’re welcome! 😊

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