La Grande Casse from Lac de la Glière

Today Spencer and I make a rare appearance in front of the camera for today's post. Jean Max, in a huge effort to show off Savoie to Nancy, took us all on a hike up to Lac de la Glière. We started down at Laisonnay d'En Bas at 1,562 meters altitude, and walked for most of the way on a shepherd's path up to the lake. The road hasn't been opened for the summer season, although hikers can use it. There were several places where the road was covered with old avalanches and debris that still needs to be cleaned up once the snow finishes melting out. All along our path we saw gorgeous alpine wild flowers, tons of waterfalls, marmots playing, and even a chamois (which is like a mountain goat) up on a ridge. On the edge of the lake (at 2,049 meters altitude) is a tiny chapel--where mass in actually held a couple of times a summer--where we stopped to have lunch and take photos. All around us were tons of marmots wrestling and playing and running all around, which kept us entertained during lunch. Nancy took a nap in the sun and Max, Spencer, and I went up a little higher to take photos across the lake where we had a view of La Grande Casse (the mountain behind us) and the Tignes Glacier and téléphérique. Max, who is normally the videographer, took this photo of Spencer and I with the glaciers and peak behind us. Even though it certainly isn't the most beautiful time of year in the mountains (spring hasn't exactly sprung at that altitude), Nancy really enjoyed the hike and got to see the mountains we've been playing in all year.