DeborahAnn

Intrepid, I agree that there is much more to this forum than just Paris and London. I was surprised by how much information I have gathered about Croatia just from reading thread titles here while doing research for other countries Deborah

kappa

I didn't see your questions about the téléphérique de l'Aiguiile-du-Midi. As I live in Geneva, not far from Chamonix-Mont.Blanc, it is possible I could answer some of your questions about it.

DeborahAnn

kappa, absolutely fabulous of you, my question is.....We are staying in Annecy 3 days over the second weekend in August. Is it reasonable to drive to Chamonix to take the telepherique to Aiguille du Midi (just the first stage) and back as a day trip, possibly to be done on Monday rather than Sunday.
Do the long waits, I have read about make it impractical? Is there another gondola/cable car you could recommend if we want "the lazy persons" mountaintop experience thank you so much, Deborah

Michael

My cousin was camping near Annecy and wanted to do what you want to do. But they are not early risers and never made it to the télépherique on time. Apparently traffic between Annecy and Chamonix can be bad, which slowed him down even more.

kappa

I'm not sure about Michael's cousin's experience but a day trip from Annecy to Chamonix is absolutely feasible.

If you leave Annecy at 8 am, usually you will be in Chamonix by 9.30 to at latest 10.00. You will have a car, don't you? The first stage (Plan de l'Aiguille about 2300meters) is just 10 minutes cable car ride, no problem whatsoever. You could even easily make it to the top of Aiguille du Midi (3842m) by changing at P.d.A.

You will just have to make sure to make a reservation in summer. You should be able to do it by e-mail or by phone a few days to a day before through Compagnie du Mont-Blanc (which operates all those cable cars)site. They will provide you with a reservation number so you can take a cable car at certain time. Without this, you might have to wait for 1-2 hours at busiest season.

If it's not your interest to climb to the "highest" point, I recommed you to take the cable car of Mont Brévent which is also in the Chamonix valley but on the other side from Aiguille-du-Midi. You take one of the small 4 seater cabins to 2000m and change to a big gondola to get to the top of Brévent (2525m) altogether in less than 30 minutes (waiting time not included). Many people consider the view from there actually better than from A.d.M. (and surely than from P.d.A.) because being a bit away from the main mountains (incl.Mont Blanc) you can actually see them better across the narrow valley of Chamonix. + It's much cheaper than A.d.M. and usually much less crowde too. A couple of times I took the cable car to Brevent and hiked up there. I did this leaving Geneva at 10 am. I was back in Geneva by early evening. If you say you are "lazy" and will not do hiking at all, just to take a coffee and cake at the top, that would take you lot less time.

Take a look at a photo I took in 2004.
http://photobucket.com/albums/c294/k...nt2004July.jpg

3rd choice is Montenver train to Mer de Glace glacier (takes 30 min. to 1900m). This one is also less crowded.

Catbert

Kappa, Gorgeous pictures!

enzian

As far as the weather---we spent a week in Chamonix last August, from Aug. 6 to the 12th. We were in the Bernese Alps the previous week, and it rained a lot there. But in Chamonix we had lovely sunny weather every day but one. However, it can rain or cloud over any time, and that makes planning the Aiguille du Midi trip difficult---you could make your reservations (necessary, as Kappa explained) only to find you picked the wrong day. So the recommendation to take the Brevant lift instead is an excellent one--the views are spectacular. I believe there are options for lunch both at the mid-station area and at the very top.

DeborahAnn

Thank you so much kappa, I am saving your information for my travel folder. My husband and I are very early risers so Aiguille du Midi sounds feasible but your suggestion of Brevent sounds even better.

I am not really lazy I just this moment am back from 1 1/2 hours cross country skiing here in Maryland. First snowfall of the season FINALLY!!! I am the only one around here who skis so I am forever breaking the trail. I am just taking a breather until I go out a second time and enjoy my self made trail. I just don't see Ron and I hauling hiking gear along with the other clothing for our trip in August.

I second the comment, your pictures are stunning. Thanks for including them. Deborah

kappa

Thanks for your kind words about my photo(s).

"..very early risers so Aiguille du Midi ..", " .. I just this moment am back from 1 1/2 hours cross country skiing .."

Deborah, you really sound like a lazy person Seriously, since you seem quite active with above comments, think about a bit of hiking. It's all simple and in summer time, the sunset can be around 9 pm, that will give you lots of daylight time to enjoy outdoor activities. The hiking trail on the photo is easy one. And I did it with no special equipment, just a pair of basket shoes & a windbreaker in case of sudden change of weather. You will enjoy it.

mpprh

Hi

I have a small local forum at : http://www.the-languedoc-page.com/forum

Peter