In mountaineering history, there are many stories of mountain men – often local guides and their wealthy clients. Stories of talented women climbers are less frequently told, yet numerous women accomplished major ascents in the nineteenth century. One of these was Isabella Straton. Born in 1838. Straton was an upper-class Englishwoman who found herself wealthy…
The Chamonix Valley needs no introduction to mountaineers as the birthplace of alpinism at the foot of the highest mountain in the Alps (Mont-Blanc, for those not in the know). This article is the second in a short series, following on from our recent post on the Ecrins national park. Hikers come here to tackle…
In the first of a short series showcasing the areas we operate in, we take a look at the Ecrins massif. This range encompasses the Oisans, Briancon and Valbonnais areas. The next article will cover the Mont Blanc range and our home in the Chamonix valley. In the Southern French Alps lies a mountain paradise…
What animals and birds are you likely to see on an Alpine trek? Read on for the rundown of the wildlife around Chamonix and the western-Alps where we run our guided treks, hiking holidays and courses. The Alps are home to a huge range of wildlife, both birds and animals. Some of the best-known residents…
Today, the Tour du Mont Blanc is the most popular long distance hike in Europe, if not the world. But how did it become established, and who was the first to walk it? To find the answer, we have to go back to 1767, and a man who would play a key role in the…
The story of a very longstanding debt owed to a very small village At the dawn of the 19th century, newly republican France was at war with much of Europe. In the south-west of the country, the Alps formed a natural barrier against invasion, so the high mountain passes aquired a vital strategic importance. This…
How a St. Bernard named Barry became a Swiss legend Although relatively unheard of outside his native Switzerland, Barry is known as the most famous dog in the country to the Swiss. In German, he is called Barry der Menschenretter, or “Barry the people rescuer”. He was born in the year 1800 at the Great…
Lady’s mantle Alchemilla A fascinating plant that is easy to overlook, lady’s mantle can be seen flowering across the Alps from spring through to autumn. There are many species worldwide, but the most common in the Western Alps are alpine lady’s mantle (Alchemilla alpina) and common lady’s mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris). The latter plant is very…
The Eurasian Lynx is a distinctive species of wild cat that was common in the Alps until the 19th century. Together with the grey wolf and the brown bear, it was one of the three big predators that were intentionally eradicated across much of Europe during the course of the 1800s. However, a successful reintroduction…
The grey wolf is one of the three large predators that disappeared from the French Alps towards the end of the 19th century, the other two being the lynx and the brown bear. However, in the past few years, small numbers of wolves have migrated from the small remaining Italian populations and re-established themselves in…
