Autumn Walks in Winter Snow

This weekend I could have cycled on Saturday and Sunday but I chose not to because I am finally feeling recovered from my cold. I did not want to overdo it by cycling, and getting cold. With hiking I can dress warmly and go at a more relaxed pace.

I noticed that the pace at the Arboretum, and up to La Dôle, were the same. We walked at about 3.9km/h, which, by my standards is slow. So slow, that, if I was feeling healthy, might have felt too slow. Since I wanted to rest and recover I accepted this speed.

Normally, like the group, I would have taken the train, and the bus, rather than the car. I was lazy. I drove to the arboretum, and then we walked 7.7km. There was a snack stop for half an hour or more. Instead of stopping though, I explored one path, and then another, before looking at the forest through binoculars, trying to find wildlife.

On Sunday, we were just two, to go for the hike up to La Dôle. For the first part of the hike we were sheltered from the wind so it felt warm and comfortable but as we got to the top of one piste we began to feel the cold wind pushing against us.

We continued upwards and that’s where we felt a cold, arctic wind. In theory it was just -3°c but the wind chill, and salt crystals made it feel cooler. People had red faces and if they weren’t equipped well enough, then they would regret their choice.

I wish my thick, warm layer, had been available for me to use. I could have done with a thicker layer to protect me from the wind chill. It bit through my clothing, despite the windproof nature of this clothing. I got cold. So cold that I feared I was approaching hypothermia.

I wasn’t shivering, but my hands were cold, and my nose was cold. I was desperate to get back down, to get to shelter, and to warm up again. I wanted to get back to the tree line.

Once there, we did feel more comfortable. I wish I had worn a thicker layer, because with that layer I would have been warm.

It’s worth mentioning that yesterday was a great day to go up, because we had a good view of the Alps, and Geneva. We could see the towns and villages. We could also see the various alpine peaks. It was also quiet.

The one surprise, for me, was seeing so many ski de randonnée skiers. I didn’t expect to see so many at once. I suspect that this is their first outing of the season. It’s their shakedown run before going further afield.

And Finally

Aside from taking easy because of the cold I had last week I also wanted to take it easy ahead of today’s double vaccination. As I write this my body is adapting to the latest COVID and Flu vaccines. If I spend more time socialising, I want my immune system to be ready for flu, and COVID, if I am exposed to either this year.

It’s been three years since my last COVID vaccination and it might be my first flu vaccine, ever. If I feel good, by Wednesday morning, I can join the morning ride. We will see.