August 28, 2018. After rock climbing the previous three days, I felt the need to stretch my lungs. A few people mentioned Mont Buet was a good run/hike in the area that presents stunning views of the Mont Blanc Massif as well as Switzerland and Italy. I decided to embark on the Mont Buet Trail Run and started my day by waking up, drinking plenty of coffee, and doing a few Duolingo French lessons before jumping on the train to the village of Le Buet.
I arrived at the village about 11:30 and ordered a sandwich at Hôtel du Buet to take with me for snacking. I had to wait for 20 minutes until the cooks finished their lunch to make the sandwich, which I’m finding is pretty typical around here. I set off on the trailhead about Noon.
The Mont Buet trailhead sign indicates 6 hours to the summit. I made it round trip in about 4H:30 minutes, including stops for a snack and on the summit.
Cascade de Bérard about 5 minutes into the run.
Vallon de Bérard (below). The trail comes through the valley and gains about 500 meters. I stopped at the Refuge de la pierre á Bérard after 50 minutes to take a breather and gobble my sandwich (jambon et formage)!
There were a few patches of snow left on the trail.
Mont Buet trail run summit panorama. The views from left to right look over Switzerland, Italy, and the entire Mont Blanc Massif in France. The first two guys in the video left the Refuge de la pierre á Bérard the same time as me and arrived 25 minutes later. Not that I’m counting. Not including my break at the refuge it took me 2H:21M to get to the summit. It was approximately 9km and 1700 Meters of elevation. The gentlemen raising his hand at the end of the video is Francois. He lives in Switzerland and works for a tool manufacturer (if I understood him correctly). If the weather is nice he will make the one hour drive to get into the mountains even on work days. That seems like a good methodology!
Summit shot with Mont Blanc in the background. Photo cred: Francois!
Looking back at the summit of Mont Buet.
Cows grazing as I arrive back to the start of the trailhead. Cows are vital to the cheese making process!
The Mont Blanc Express runs up and down the Chamonix valley. 4.20 euros each direction from Chamonix to Le Buet and back.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/YwaE_fqS8Tk
The Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (aka UTMB) started on Monday. There are races going on all week with the main 171KM race beginning on Friday. Here are some clips from the of the YCC race which was starting as I got back to Chamonix. The YCC (Youth Chamonix Courmayeur) is a challenge dedicated to the young aged between 16 and 22, comprising of a prologue in Chamonix at the end of the afternoon on the Tuesday of the event week and a 15km event with around 1200m ascent in Courmayeur the following day.
Suunto Movie, Strava Stats, and Map
