Verbier- Pure Energy, Day 2.
18th July 2017 | James Cove, Verbier
Last modified on September 23rd, 2022
Our editor is continuing his quest to see if Verbier’s marketing slogan is true or just more PR spin. Next up – climbing Mont Fort!
DAY TWO
I have stood on the summit of Mont Fort a few times before.
But each time it has been in the winter and I’ve taken the cable car from Gentianes to just below the summit and walked up a steep but simple path to the peak.
It is safely roped off and the only difficulty can be the altitude as the air is thin once you get over 3,330m.
Mont Fort peak in the winter
Today I am taking an altogether different route after my first day In Verbier whizzing about on a zip line at Madzeria.
And after I shot the video we went inside a nearby hut to prepare our equipment and when we emerged the cloud had lifted.
We could see!
Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier, Switzerland
Our route involved walking over the glacier, climbing straight up and then following the ridge line.
Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier, Switzerland
As with most such adventures the start is easy but we all knew there would be challenges ahead.
And so it provided to be shortly after we left the glacier.
Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier, Switzerland[/caption]
Verbier, Switzerland
After a couple of hours we had reached the halfway point.
And at this point I would like to thank my climbing buddies, Adam and Fergus.
I was somewhat slower and they looked after me on the tricky sections without a moment’s irritation at my speed – we acted as a team.
Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier, Switzerland
Much of the route was actually like scaling large rocks on the seashore – I had done it in Cornwall countless times as a kid.
Only I wasn’t a kid anymore (kids have no fear) and I wasn’t at sea level with its copious amounts of oxygen (the air is thin at 3,000+m and the previous day I had been in London at sea level).
There was also the small matter of the drops beneath the soles of my climbing boots.
Verbier, Switzerland
Verbier, Switzerland
The trick on the steeper and more technical sections was simply to focus on the task in hand.
I didn’t need to push thoughts of falling out of my head or worries of the void beneath me – they never popped into my head.
Thankfully.
I just focused on where I was going to put my hands and feet next.
And I kept going.
I used to do a fair bit on indoor climbing a dozen or so years and have done some ice climbing – rocks were new territory for me.
But old techniques of using my legs rather than my arms to ascend and how to get grip and power on the smallest of handholds came back.
It wasn’t pure energy I needed, rather a cool and calm head.
And so it proved to be.
Verbier, Switzerland
The climb was the most challenging task I have done in recent years and I was certainly relieved finally to reach the summit.
I think we all were.
Verbier, Switzerland
So, as I said earlier I am on a mission to see if the marketing slogan for the resort – Vebier Pure Energy – is true.
And the verdict so far?
It’s understating it, if anything.
Verbier is billing itself as a resort for thrill and chills as we reported earlier on PlanetSKI:
And much can be accessed by its new VIP pass, Verbier Infinite Playground:
Tomorrow it is high-altitude glacier hiking.
Verbier, Switzerland
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
For more information about Verbier visit www.verbier.ch/en
For more information about the new summer VIP pass that gives access to many activities in Verbier then follow this link: www.verbier.ch/vip-pass.
List of benefits offered by the Verbier Infinite Playground Pass for the summer 2017:
- Mountain lifts that are open: Free for pedestrians + A 20% reduction on the daily rate for mountain bikers + Post buses within the municipality of Bagnes: Le Châble – Verbier / Le Châble – Bruson / Le Châble – Mauvoisin / Lourtier – Sarreyer
- Activities laid on by the Verbier/Val de Bagnes Tourist Office: Free: Brunch on a mountain pasture of Sery + Visit to the dairy at the Mille mountain pasture + Guided visit around Verbier-Village
- Activities at the Vollèges mountain pastures: 50% off: Via Ferrata / Horse Riding
- Buy one get one free!:Buy one ticket and get one free for 12 major concerts in the Salle des Combins and all the 5pm concerts at the Eglise de Verbier.
See here for the main PlanetSKI news page with all the latest stories from the mountains.
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