Hunt runners enjoy stunning Chamonix scenery for half term trip

It was the Romantic poets who were particularly taken by the concept of the sublime - an experience that prompts both fear and awe, taking us beyond ourselves and into the natural world around us - and it was the Alps that particularly inspired them. The Hunt’s trip to Chamonix was, I hoped, going to be an opportunity to witness the elevated, literally and figuratively, and perhaps even to answer the question posed by the American poet, Wallace Stevens: 

How does one stand

To behold the sublime? 

Stevens’s words are a reminder that sublime landscapes have a beauty powerful enough to knock us to the ground (hardly promising for a planned trail running trip!), but beautiful blue skies, balmy temperatures and the deep lugs of our trail shoes helped keep Royal Shrewsbury School Hunt feet firmly planted to the floor. Over our time in the heart of the French Alps, we ultimately discovered that the best way to behold the sublime is not to stand - or fall - in its presence, but to run up and into it (with the expert support of our professional guides, of course!).  

Despite the exertions of the previous day’s Tucks and House Singing, spirits were high on the journey out and were not to be dampened by significant queues at Geneva airport. The ensuing transfer to Chamonix and short walk to our accommodation were pleasingly straightforward, and we enjoyed a cheery, hearty meal in town before a well-deserved sleep. 

Our first full day saw us heading off to the gentle slopes of Les Planards for some instruction on trail technique - both climbing and descending. Some of our more seasoned fell runners were in their element, careering down the tracks, whilst others took a more relaxed approach in anticipation of the harder days ahead. A short trail then led us all to the stunningly situated athletics track where we finished the session with group drills.  

In the afternoon, we took the funicular railway to the Montenvers station. The little cogwheel train delivered us to a viewing platform overlooking the Mer de Glace, the longest and largest glacier in France, situated on the northern slopes of the Mount Blanc massif.  In Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’ the eponymous doctor, Victor Frankenstein, meets his monstrous creation whilst mountaineering on this very glacier; we were only met with cloudless skies and extraordinary views of Les Drus (3,754m), Les Grands Jorasses (4,205m) and the Aiguille du Grépon (3,482m). 

The following day started early, setting off on trails leading up to the beautifully situated Chateau Floria, before heading along the Balcon du Sud. The group were encouraged to enjoy their running in a more experiential way than before, learning how to read and navigate the trail, appreciating the unique fauna and flora of the mountains, and mapping the aiguilles, glaciers, peaks and ranges. Covering 18 kilometres before lunch was no mean feat, especially after discovering the general principle that 100 metres of ascent is considered equivalent to 1 kilometre’s worth of effort on the flat. The 500 metres of ascent made the day’s effort even more impressive!

After a quick lunch we were in the cable car on our way up to the Aiguille du Midi at 3,842m for breathtaking views, high altitude dizziness and more beautiful blue skies. It was a real treat to see for miles and miles across the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. The conditions were clear enough to see the Matterhorn (4478m), the Monte Rosa (4634m) and the Grand Combin (4314m).

Our third full day began with a bus ride out beyond Argentière to Montroc to enable us to access le Balcon Nord. We were treated to a different type of trail - more open with less climbing - on our return back to Chamonix, finishing along the Arveyron river from Les Tines. In all, we covered 16 kilometres before some group stretching. 

After lunch, we enjoyed a bit of downtime exploring Chamonix itself and getting some souvenir shopping done. Energy levels were soon boosted though, as we watched the Pionniers take on Grenoble in the French National Ice Hockey Cup. A 5-3 loss did not dampen spirits, though, with the day ending on a real high.

Our final full day in the mountains started with a long ‘power hike’ up through low-lying mist to Le Merlet. At the summit, right on cue, the clouds cleared to reveal a fabulous view of Mont Blanc. The technical descent and fast flowing surges to the Christ Roi statue were a real highlight. 16 kilometres and 800 metres of climbing later, the running element of the trip was brought to an end with some shared conversation and quizzing with our outstanding guides from Run the Wild. 

The rest of the day was largely dedicated to restoring depleted calories. Monster burgers consumed, we worked up a further appetite on the dry luge rollercoaster before a final special meal sampling Savoyard fondue, raclette and tartiflette. A small and silly awards ceremony at the end of the evening brought the trip to a fitting end.

My thanks go to the weather gods for granting us perfect conditions in which to enjoy the best of the autumnal Haute-Savoie, and to Simon, Bruno and Alistair of Run the Wild for helping us all fully appreciate the trails - not just the running, but the historical, the geological and geographical, the cultural and the taxonomical richness of the surroundings. I am very grateful to Mr Ian Howarth for his excellent company and support, but my biggest thank you is reserved for the pupils who behaved spotlessly and who were, at all times, tremendous ambassadors of the school. 

Frank Tickner

Teacher i/c RSSH