Just over a week ago, I set off to do this walk, but the car park at La Forclaz was full. So I vowed to return another day when the holiday makers had returned home. Today the skies were completely blue and perfect for showing off those snow-capped mountains. My plan was to walk as far up the valley as I could, until I reached the point where no man or woman had stepped before.
The road from La Forclaz to Ferpècle is closed at this time of year and I was pleased to see that many people had already flattened what little snow there was and the going up to the small reservoir was very easy. From that point there was a small 30cm/1 foot deep trench where people had continued. I detoured to the wooden bridge over the river and took a panoramic photo of Mont Miné with the sun hidden behind, creating a sort of halo effect.
It wasn’t long before I reached the ‘end’ where the footprints stopped. I took a few more steps, took a photo to prove that I had gone the furthest and started to walk back. I’d hardly taken ten steps when I noticed a guy almost jogging towards me. He passed by and went at least 30 to 40 metres beyond where I’d been. He didn’t pause for very long, before returning and passing me again as I continued back to the small waterfall, where I sat down to eat my lunch. I considered going back and going further still, but figured that would be a bit childish.
Having polished off my lunch and taken a few more pictures, I started to make my way back. Throughout the walk, I had heard the crunch, crunch, crunch of my boots in the crisp snow. So I decided to take a video, so that you could hear the sound, while also seeing some of the marvellous views. And then it happened… The back of the camera said “No memory card. Cannot record video”!!! Oooops! Silly Mike had left the SD card in the Trail cam. Not one photo of my walk. Doh!
Well, there’s always tomorrow, I thought. (Thankfully the forecast is for equally blue skies). I was about 3/4s of the way back to the car when I remembered that I had my phone in my pocket. So here’s a ‘taster’ of what you can expect in my next post…
Alittlebitoutoffocus 
I so loved this story, Mike, the story of you in the crispy wintry Alps and your goal which was completed, challenged, and contemplated. I’m so glad you remembered your phone and were able to get this magnificent photo. Thanks so very much.
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Thank you Jet. It was a good “dress rehearsal” for tomorrow, when I plan to do exactly the same walk and bring you the same photos (more or less). Conditions will be very similar. 😊
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Good luck, my intrepid hiking friend.
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It’s certainly going to be a case of déjà vu! 😊
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Who’s a silly boy then!
Love the shot you did get.
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That shot was just the tip of the iceberg… But, yes, I was kicking myself – though mainly for all the time I’d spent switching the aspect ratio, zooming in and out to frame the photos, panning left and right to get the best light on the panoramas, looking for some ‘arty farty’ pics… (e.g. frost covered water, twigs with shadows). The question is – can I replicate them all tomorrow? Hmmm… We’ll see.
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Sometimes phone photos can be just what you need! This is a truly breathtaking view! Enjoy your next walk!
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Hopefully I can bring you a few more images today. 😊
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Looking forward to them!
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😊
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I have visions of you and the other guy trying to outwalk one another until one or the other of you is in another country :-),,,,how great that you restrained your impulse! Are you guys in lockdown? And did you hear about all those British skiers in Verbier who went AWOL when they were asked to quarantine?
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Yes indeed. He was obviously of the same mind as me. But watch out for today’s post… Yes, I heard about the Brits doing a disappearing act. Some got out before the deadline, but others didn’t. I’m not sure if they managed to track them down or not and what’s happening to them.
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Pingback: Ferpècle Valley Walk, Take 2… | Alittlebitoutoffocus
Haha! I love your Doh! A recognizable situation 😀😀
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Indeed, it was a silly mistake to make. I’ll probably do it again by leaving it in my laptop. I have at least bought another SD card so that in theory I have one per device… but we’ll see!
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😊😊
I have done it a few times but the weather is rather unstable in Denmark so I’ll ‘only’ be left with a glorias memory 🙄
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I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that the weather improves. 😊
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Oh no!!! 😱 I get your comment on my blog, Mike! 😉 I hope you’ve already ordered another memory card (or 2)!! I have gotten very mad at myself for not checking off that I had my extra cards and batteries. Looking forward to your next post, I was excited in hearing the snow crunch, lol. Always liked hearing that during a walk. 🙂
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Yes, I ordered one as soon as I got home. 👍😊 (I should always carry a spare, but you’d think 64Gb would be enough – even for someone like me who can take 200+ photos on a walk). I hope you enjoy the second post!
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Oh I know this feeling Mike! I hate when this happens. But your phone photo is fabulous!
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Thank you Sandra. Hopefully the ‘real’ post was even better. 🤔
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Beautiful photo, thank you for sharing it with us.
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Thank you Geri. You also had me worried there, since you said ‘photo’ and ‘it’, as I rarely post just one photo (indeed I probably post too many). I thought something might have gone wrong with WP, then I remembered it was the day I had no SD card… So here is the ‘full’ story: https://alittlebitoutoffocus.com/2021/01/08/ferpecle-valley-walk-take-2/ I hope you enjoy those photos too. 😊
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