SuperDave's Adventures in Eastern France's Wine Country COMPLETE!! 6/13 - Page 20 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Your views from the tram and from the mountain are breathtaking. Chamonix looks so secure nestles among the mountains.
So glad you're enjoying these. The next phase from the upper level may be even better, I feel. But perhaps, you like ones closer to the ground....but I doubt it! Other elements will have there part in this as well!
Actually, all of those photos are from outside the first level stop at 2,317 meters or around 7.600 feet. None of these came from the tram as it was so packed in there and tough to get off a picture. Plus, the window I was looking out of down below at Chamonix on our ascent to Aiguille du Midi was rather dingy. Perhaps, they should invest in some Glass Plus or perhaps I could bring some along to correct the problem?
The ski season had ended the day before, so realistically the tram should not have been packed as it was. Well. this was due to the delay in the morning as it was closed because of the cloud cover. You could buy a ticket and stop at the first level at Plan du Midi, but not the Upper Level. But considering, you're paying for a full price ticket, most people will just wait it out and jump on board once they get the ok to go to the upper level. In general. from what I hear, the clouds will clear for the most part near the upper level, but the elements aren't always cooperative. At these altitudes, you never know what will happen. At least, it was generally good for my travel up there. Tomorrow, would be a bit different, as I'll explain in an upcoming post as I'd be leaving Chamonix!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Glad you enjoyed them! Much more of them to come from the French Alps!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Registered Message Board Members save 30% off PassPorter guidebooks! When you register you'll have access to a discount coupon good for 30% off the list price of PassPorter books in our online store.
Well, I finished off yesterday with the first half of my trip up Aiguille du Midi to an altitude of 2,317 meters (7,602 feet). After taking some photos, enjoying some nice views and exploring the area, it was time to continue on my journey to the summit of Aiguille du Midi. The cable car would take me from here to 3,842 meters or 12,605 feet. I have never been up that high in the open air before in my life. I was looking forward to it, but was hoping I'd be able to cooperate with it. I've never had a problem with altitudes before, so I was hoping the same, but this would be a new "high" for me at nearly 2 1/2 miles above sea level.
I went back inside to wait for the next cable car to take me up to the summit. It was a bit of a wait at around ten minutes or so, but just couldn't wait to get up there. Finally, one arrived and this time there were only a few of us getting on to go to the summit.
The ascent up to the summit was nearly vertical and quite eery, especially when you'd look down below and as the car would rock a bit back and forth at times! The trip lasted about ten minutes and the views were amazing. I couldn't wait to get some better views at the summit. I was also hoping that most of the clouds had cleared, so I can get a full view of Mount Blanc's summit from here.
This time I managed to get off a couple of photos on the journey to the summit!
These I'm quite happy with and love the views.
When I got out I looked for an exit and find the viewing platform. There was an area that surrounded the building here on the lower part. There was also another platform up the stairs a bit as well, where the cafe is located.
Great views and looking down at Chamonix from 12,605 feet.
Next, I went to look for the access to the stairs to get up to the top viewing platform. Unfortunately, there was no access to this from the inside and the only way were these steep, steel, narrow, snow covered stairs on the outside of the building. It didn't look like the safest thing in the world, but managed and made sure I held on to the railing. It was probably another 70 feet or so up from the lower level. This was also where the cafe was too. The views were a lot different as you'll see.
Much more cloud cover and the photo above is the summit of Mount Blanc at over 15,000 feet!
Like this cave entrance up here. Used for access for skiing and there is also some rooms one can enter and see some of the history of Aiguille du Midi and Mount Blanc.
Snow covered building here, which includes the cafe.
The sun trying to break through the clouds over Mount Blanc. Just prior to this it was actually snowing for a little while up here. My first experience of snow in the month of May!
Met a number of people from my group up here, when I went inside. A couple of them were resting a bit as they were having elevation problems, but nothing too serious. It was around noon time or so I guess, so decided to go into the cafe and get something for lunch. Not great selections, but mostly sandwiches. Decided to go with the vegetable soup puree, which sounded good on a cold day. I just added croutons and gruyere cheese and I was good to go. Also had a glass of white wine as well! That hit the spot. I accompanied a couple from my group Paul and Nancy for lunch. The two of them had exactly the same as me, including the wine!
There were some great panoramic windows up here, that were quite clean with spectacular views and took quite a few photos of them as you'll see now!
Just breathtaking views! Can't top nature!
Looking down towards Chamonix!
After taking in more views from inside the restaurant, it was time to take the cable car back down to ground level. It would be in two stages as before. One thing I forgot to mention is that from the upper level there is a cable car that goes from here to Pointe Helbronner, which is the Italian side of Mount Blanc. Unfortunately, it's only open during the summer months, otherwise I may have made the trip over.
Paul and Nancy left a bit before me and were heading back to the hotel for a bit. I still had half of my journey today to go. I took the cable car, after a short wait down to Plan de l'Aiguille at 2,317 meters. Took another walk around before heading down by the next car to street level. There was a small cabin outside, where you can get snacks and such. Had an espresso, which really tasted good up here!
After, having my expresso, there were some more great views here as you see above. There was a woman from Holland who was up here skiing and I had her take a couple of photos of me with the beautiful background! The lighting outside was a bit dark with lots of shadows. They came out a bit dark, but I enhanced them a bit. They're quite improved over the originals.
I guess I wasn't the only one here taking in the great views of the alps!
This is at 7,600 feet and didn't know birds will be at these altitudes.
Went inside and waited for a cable car to take me down to ground level in Chamonix. It was only a few minutes wait. Another couple from my group were getting off here at Plan de l'Aiguille and wanted to spend some time up here. Told them, I'd see them back at the hotel around 5:30 pm as our director Toni would be having a little wine tasting for us in the hotel lounge! The ride back to Chamonix took about 15 minutes.
The experience up in the alps was amazing with the views, climate and being able to see an amazing part of nature up so close! This is one experience I will never forget.
It was around 2 p.m. or so and time to continue on with the second part of the journey today, that's included in my combo ticket.....
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Last edited by SuperDave; 11-04-2013 at 10:56 PM..
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What stunning views of the Alps from here! This definitely sounds like a must do if ever in Chamonix.
Seeing the alps up close like that is just amazing! You should do it, if you ever get the chance!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Amazing pictures from the top Dave! Definitely worth the ride!
So glad you're enjoying these! Well worth it and some!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Forgot to include a photo in the latest update to my TR (#292). It is the very last photo there. Sorry!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Last edited by SuperDave; 11-04-2013 at 10:11 PM..
PassPorter's Free-Book to Walt Disney World It’s hard to believe anything is free at Walt Disney World; but there are actually a number of things you can get or do for little to no cost. This e-book documents over 200 free or cheap tips to do before you go and after you arrive. You could save a considerable amount of money following these tips. Perhaps more importantly; you can discover overlooked attractions and little-known details most people whiz by on their way to spend money. Click here to see free sample pages from the e-book! Get this popular e-book free of extra charges when you join the PassPorter's Club for as little as $4.95. A club pass includes access to all our other e-books; e-worksheets; super-size photos; and more! This e-book is also available for separate purchase in the PassPorter Online Store for just $5.95.
Very happy you're enjoying them! It was just amazing, being able to experience this from over 12,000 feet. Glad the weather pretty much cooperated for me as it can be quite temperamental and you never know what you can get as things can change drastically in settings like this without little notice!
__________________
October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Very happy you're enjoying them! It was just amazing, being able to experience this from over 12,000 feet. Glad the weather pretty much cooperated for me as it can be quite temperamental and you never know what you can get as things can change drastically in settings like this without little notice!
Tell me about it - we had the same fear with the Jungfrau on our Switzerland trip!
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I've never had a problem with altitudes before, so I was hoping the same, but this would be a new "high" for me at nearly 2 1/2 miles above sea level.
The trip lasted about ten minutes and the views were amazing. I couldn't wait to get some better views at the summit. I was also hoping that most of the clouds had cleared, so I can get a full view of Mount Blanc's summit from here. 
which really tasted good up here! 
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