A pair of worn out shoes and a sensational view of Mount Blanc

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When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body.  I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

After a strenuous morning of hiking, we finally made it to the highest point of our week-long trek, the Col de Chaviere at 9,173 feet/2, 796 m. It was indeed a long hike up to the top but once we arrived, it was like no place on earth. A place that was so utterly fantastic, that it took my breath away and reminded me why I love to be up in the mountains on top of the world…

The zigzag trail heading up the mountain to the top.

As we headed up with me in the lead, anxious to arrive, I prayed the clouds would stay low and the fog we’d seen earlier in the morning wouldn’t return. Otherwise our highly anticipated view of Mount Blanc would be all but a dream.

A gorgeous waterfall tucked behind the clouds.

As we got higher, the terrain began to change as did the landscape. It was barren but bold and beautiful in its own unique way.

Slow and steady wins the race…my dad like an Energizer Bunny who never stopped.

The rest of the group pulling up the rear.

Despite the harsh landscape and lack of greenery, I was amazed to find so many pretty, robust wildflowers finding their way through the rocks and rising to the sun.

Rocky trail meant difficult and slippery.

No man’s land.

The will to survive.

Finally, the top was near. I was in the lead and with the others a few minutes behind. I could hardly wait to reach the crest and win my view. Some clouds had drifted in around the peaks. Hopefully I wouldn’t be too late.

More hearty wildflowers growing out of the rocky mountain top.

I took that one last step and I arrived on top of the Col…

And this was my view….WOW! Mount Blanc is soaring majestically above the clouds and she is spectacular.

I had to go bananas and take a ton of photos and of course get this one of me….I made it! 🙂

Still there but disappearing behind the clouds soon.

Luckily the others arrived just in time to see Mount Blanc and take a few more photos. It was by far the most spectacular views of the hike. It made me crave for more.

Unfortunately the true wanderlust is never satisfied. There’s always got to be one more trip. But seeing views like these made me dream. And hope. And plan. For yet another mountain.

Stay tuned…

This post is a continuation of my series on my hiking trip, Tour de la Vanoise. To read more of these posts, click here.

25 thoughts on “A pair of worn out shoes and a sensational view of Mount Blanc”

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Renee! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  2. Mike – Nashville, TN – Making videos and searching for the meaning of life by living it to the fullest. I've recently gone out on my own after 14 years in local news marketing. If you're looking for video and/or marketing help, please contact me through my website, www.dystyll.com. I've also published over 500 posts about endurance sports at www.crushingiron.com and don't plan to stop anytime soon. I appreciate genuine discussion. Follow me on Twitter @miketarrolly
    crushingiron on said:

    These photos are stunning! Thank you.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      You’re welcome! Thank you for commenting and glad you enjoyed them! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      🙂

      Reply ↓
  4. newsofthetimes – Boulder, CO – Jennifer Corrigan Politi has over 15 years of experience working on public policy issues on a broad range of topics, ranging from domestic violence to public health. She lives in Boulder, Colorado where she enjoys biking, hiking with her puppy and discussing the important themes of the day, especially over a glass of wine.
    newsofthetimes on said:

    So true – wanderlust is never satisfied! I guess that is some of the fun of it! Gorgeous photos!!!

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Yes sometimes I wonder about myself. Thank goodness I have a very supportive husband who really understands me! 🙂

      Reply ↓
      • newsofthetimes – Boulder, CO – Jennifer Corrigan Politi has over 15 years of experience working on public policy issues on a broad range of topics, ranging from domestic violence to public health. She lives in Boulder, Colorado where she enjoys biking, hiking with her puppy and discussing the important themes of the day, especially over a glass of wine.
        newsofthetimes on said:

        That is very helpful…and again, I can COMPLETELY relate! 😉

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  6. નિરવ – Hello , હું છું નિરવ . એક Engineering Graduate . હું રાજકોટ’નો રહેવાસી છું . અને આ બ્લોગ વડે હું તમને Books અને Movies ની મસ્ત સફરે લઇ જાઈશ . . ! એવી સફર કે જે 2000 + મુવીઝ { 2017'ની શરૂઆતે } અને ઘણી બધી બુક્સ પછી પણ ફડાકાભેર આગળ વધી રહી છે . તો જોતા રહેજો નિરવની નજરે . . . અને સાંભળતા રહેજો NiravSays ;) ઇપત્ર સરનામું : નિરવ.વાંચે.છે@જીપુરુષ.કોમ :D - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hello I am Nirav , an Engineering Graduate . I live at Rajkot { Gujarat } / INDIA { ASIA } / Earth { Solar System } / Orion Arm { MilkyWay Galaxy } / Local Group { Virgo Supercluster } – UNIVERSE :D . . . & through this blog , i would take you all towards the Journey of Mysterious Island of Books & Movies ;) The journey is still going at rocket speed after completing the 2000 + [ at the beginning of 2016 ] movies & lots of books .
    નિરવ ની નજરે . . ! on said:

    On the top ! Lucky you are 🙂

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Yes indeed! 🙂 Hope you are doing well! Always enjoy your comments!

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! Only a few more posts left on France. Then I’ve got to think of some more adventures! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  8. jessicaj.hill – I'm a memoir mentor and developmental editor passionate about helping women writers craft true stories. Find me at jessicajhill.com
    jessicajhill on said:

    This looks like an amazing hike – they payoff is what makes it all worth it in the end. How long did it take you?

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks! This hike in particular was only about 5-6 hours but it takes you a few days hiking in the park to reach it (at least the way we went). There are other villages you can start at and probably get there way sooner but we enjoyed the loop we did.

      Reply ↓
      • jessicaj.hill – I'm a memoir mentor and developmental editor passionate about helping women writers craft true stories. Find me at jessicajhill.com
        jessicajhill on said:

        That sounds like a fantastic journey. I love that you were able to share it with your father.

    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thank you very much! 🙂

      Reply ↓
  10. restlessjo – Hi! I’m Jo! Johanna when I’m feeling posh, Jan to my Dad, and Joasiu to my Polish family. A bit of a mix-up, that’s me. The one constant, however, is my restless nature. I love to travel and to explore our world. It doesn’t have to be the big wide world. I can be ridiculously happy not too far from home, so long as I’m seeking new horizons. Of course I have a wish list, and it was to help me fulfil my dreams that I started to write travel guides for a venture called Simonseeks. I’d always kept a travel diary, and it was hugely satisfying to share my experiences and to make new friends who shared my passion for travel. Alas, Simonseeks hit a few troubles, but I still find myself writing about my travels. I’ve become addicted. I’d love to share them, and to make more friends. So, it has to be a blog- right? Or do I mean- write?
    restlessjo on said:

    Fantastic, Nicole. Breathtaking scenery and photos.

    Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Thanks Jo! 🙂

      Reply ↓
    • thirdeyemom – Writer, traveler, hiker and global humanitarian traveling the world and doing good. Member of Impact Travel Alliance Media Network. 40+ countries and still wandering sharing my journey along the way.
      thirdeyemom on said:

      Wow, where? Did you write about it on your blog? If so, I’ve got to check it out!!!!

      Reply ↓

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