Lunch 2600 above

I sat down on a cliff, 2,670 metres above sea level, between some place between Mont Blanc and Lake Annecy, and opened my bag to take out a well-deserved quiche (after all I did climb up there). There were only two other girls a few metres away, and a family you could faintly hear across the valley—but otherwise, I was alone.

The first time I came here, after 15 years of dreaming about the Alps, I ate my sandwich crying from sheer joy. Last year, when I made some major life changes, this place became my sanctuary where I cried my soul out. But this time, it was pure joy. Looking out over the mountains—towards the quiet majesty of Mont Blanc and down to the shimmering lake—I couldn’t help but feel happy. About life, yes, but also about the fact that there would be almost no more climbing today 😂

This time the hike took nearly five hours. That one section, where you have to be on all fours, got me again. But I wasn’t in any rush; I had nowhere to be. The only thing I was hurrying towards in my mind was a swim in Lake Annecy. And when I finally waded into that refreshingly warm water, I understood exactly why I’d dreamt of this place. I didn’t stop at one dip—I went in twice, reluctantly leaving afterwards, as I still had a good two-hour journey home.

Despite layers of sunscreen and mostly keeping a shirt on, I realised when I got home that the sun had kissed my skin more than expected. After applying some much-needed aloe vera, I sat down to a simple dinner, reflecting on the grandeur of the mountains I had walked amongst during the  day. Now I can not wait to go again.

PS. If you’re planning a trip there, start with a stop at Annecy. First, Drip Coffee, then grab lunch to eat up there at La Source. Pop Chalet d’Aulp into your navigation—don’t be alarmed if it shows a time that’s almost double what it actually takes (breathe—it’ll be shorter). Park at the final car park (there’s no road beyond), and follow the signs up to Chalet d’Aulp. From there, take any path you like—but my favourite, for that unbeatable view, is the one up to Le Lanfonnet. And from there, it’s all about the climb.