Welcome Letter To Wedding Weekend

• Mont Blanc: the heavens we are Crazy !

http://www.ultratrailmb.com

TDS (In the Footsteps of the Dukes of Savoy)

111km - 7000m D + - 32h00 Departure Max
Friday, August 27 at midnight Courmayeur (It)

Everything is in the best conditions when we arrived in Chamonix on Thursday after a road trip without mishap: 32 ° C, perfect blue sky. Withdrawal of numbers, formatting provided under the arch of arrival, stroll through the village "trail". What was my surprise to come face to face, by chance, with Carol, our Swiss adventure Morocco last February, which comes to the information after its entry in the Marathon des Sables! I then found great pleasure with Laura, met on the CCC 2 years ago, with whom I share this TDS.
We join the rest of the team for the souvenir photo under the arch for the association "Hymn for Children" for which we run. Common meal on the terrace, a large table of Belgians in the "capital of trail running!

Friday, August 27, chronology of events.
- 08h the morning, breakfast. Surprise: it's raining and the sky hangs low to high! While the weather of previous days announced nothing of the sort, at least not on this scale.
- 10h : we have a thought for the brave who take the first left CCC in Courmayeur in the rain.
Then the weather improved, mostly cloudy, a few occurrences of sunshine, mild temperatures and pleasant afternoon is relatively good.
- 15h . Getting what it takes and take the bus to Chamonix (Les Houches I live). Hey, weird, my bag is all wet in the background. I then found that my bag is leaking water! Quick, get me a new one, I also took the opportunity to buy news is good practice.
- 18:30 . With Laura and Bertrand, we witnessing the start of the UTMB, in a veiled sun, the atmosphere is excellent, I take this opportunity to encourage our representatives Thierry, Alain, David, Didier, Isabelle, and I see doing Gratianne great signs ... We have a twinge of sadness because we were entered in this race and not included in the draw ...
We still have time to fill before taking the bus to Courmayeur to 21h. We choose a small restaurant for pasta-feed us well before our race. Sylvain joined us. No sooner have we settled as rain and resurfaced with force. The UTMB has been gone for only 15 min ...

All for one and TDS for all!
Sylvain - Bertrand - Laura - I

- 20h. We will prepare, recent audits our equipment. It's pouring!
- 21h . We are preparing to take the shuttle that will take us to Courmayeur. Hey, why no one has yet embarked, while all coaches are present? Immediately, a rumor circulates on the neutralization of the UTMB in St-Gervais (collapse of land along the route problem débalisage weather ...). We are informed that the departure of the shuttle is delayed pending further information. The rumor is confirmed: neutralization of the provisional result of the UTMB weather deteriorating rapidly.
Everybody (1200 ... riders) took refuge in the shelter in the gymnasium of Chamonix. We sat on cots.
- 10:20 p.m. . SMS of the organization: " TDS: departure delayed by at least 3 hours " or a departure at 3:00 am. The UTMB is finally adopted in St. Gervais, the race is canceled. The riders will be returning to Chamonix by bus and train exceptionnellemnt restarted. We replions the camp beds for more space and accommodate all the "refugees". At this point, we still hope to make a departure, although we still hear the rain pounding the big windows.
- to 23h. Briefing of the organization: announcement of a possible start at 5am. Latest news promised later than 2am, as it takes 3 hours to ensure the transfer to Courmayeur and organize the start. We hardly dare to think, but the motivation is always present. We are trying to distract us to spend time and relax a little. The atmosphere is good and friendly, very relaxed and even at times. Sylvain took advantage to slip a cop .... nenbourg (no ads, hm, hm ...), I decided not to drink, because we still hope to run. Then, playing with, it made "pchittt" and I heard little voices, "he cracked , there " It's clever, huh ... And my reputation, then?
- 0:30 to the grave decision: cancellation of the TDS. Laura can not restrain himself and burst into tears. It's hard to accept, but safety, our security is at stake. For some, even most of the competitors waiting is the dream of the year ... As flies CCC, it is still running, even if the conditions are difficult.

Our desire to run is present, we were dressed to spend a sleepless night, we decide, Laura, Bertrand, Sylvain, Jesus (a returnee from the English disappointed UTMB) and I to file our business in cars and go to Flégère to meet the runners CCC. Soon we get wet but still motivated, fervently encouraging competitors we meet and who buckle their last miles.

- 2:14 . SMS of the organization: "TDS UTMB common starting Saturday 28-10am Course Courmayeur - Champex - Chamonix Bus from 6:30 Chamonix sports center." A replacement race for the disillusioned Volunteers ... We're turning around, motivated. Return to center to dry somewhat, and sleep before 2am this new beginning. The incessant rain in some demotivating: Sylvain drops. Bertrand is undecided, Laura seems determined, as for me I am motivated to the max!
Back in Chamonix, we settle on the floor, no more cot is available. I can not close my eyes, so the excitement is present. Laura manages to locate and recover a bit ...
- 5h. Organization's message: "Cause UTMB TDS return & cancellation CCC riders, bus departure Courmayeur limited to 1000.
CCC - also! - is neutralized and Vallorcine Trient (80 ^e km). The conditions to head to the Wind, the final pass to cross, are appalling: the wind at 110km / h, torrential rain, the road is a stream, the temperature is dropping.
This announcement will be our second warning shot. A commitment to an already abused by 1,800 runners, having been wink of the night to see what states come the survivors of this race and to hear their story (Dante conditions, fight against wind, rain, cold, feet in 10 inches of water .. .) encourages us to make a wise decision but difficult not to take the start of this replacement race limited to 80km. We have seen 4 or 5 riders at most leave room for this race at this moment ...

This will be our end point. Branch shower, breakfast (which we will propose another departure by bus at 9am ..), and finally the "goodbye" a little sad and back to the hotel. The weather has improved somewhat, but the "ceiling" remained very low.

I will not even want to close the eye. On the road again the same day, 2 days earlier than expected.

Disappointed, frustrated, sure, but can not blame anyone. Only the weather is in question and the organizers have been forced to make difficult decisions they have performed perfectly. And as support, information and repatriation of thousands of riders have been competently mastered. Only those registered for the SMS service, pending the passage of messages to different parts of the race, have received no news .... But we had time to reassure them.

Many questions remained unanswered: what will become our priorities UTMB? Will we lose our hard-earned points before?
The coming weeks will certainly shed more light ....

A remake so ... until next year.

Dream Matte Mousse Colors

• Mont Blanc: follow live! • Recognition

You can follow live my wanderings around Mont Blanc, from Friday, August 27 at midnight.
On the site of the UTMB: http://www.ultratrailmb.com - through LiveTrail. This service will be opened some time before departure.
My bib number is 8296 .
Reminder: 111 km, 7000 m D + (and as many D-) and 10 passes. I am very confident, and especially curious and eager to discover new landscapes and delicate passages, day or night.
Time limit: 32h, last time arrived Sunday 08am in the morning. My Profile

reminder that will accompany me:
- orange frame = estimated time of the slowest
- red frame = time barrier limit
- + cup = refueling station
Rescue - Emergency Alert hotline = possible

soon ....

Eukaryotic Meningitus

THEOS - New single on Deezer! Anuncio

-By Marie-

The second single from the band THEOS is now available on Deezer, and called "chimeras". for fans of pop / rock French! On this new single THEOS sounds good, very even, it then enters the energetic rhythm of a group that has something to say, and especially some key issues to raise. It feels good to rock to think sometimes!

You just have to click ... Good listening!

To listen to the single click on the cover above!

Single from the album "Over time" (Joy To The World / Rejoyce, 2010)

Exterior House Colors Images

around Mont Blanc • Salvage •

July 29 to August 01

Accreditations and Training in small teams, in order for David (inscribed on UTMB) to discover the route Chamonix-Courmayeur it will partly by night, and Ferid Romain (CCC) to discover the mountain (!) and myself (TDS) find a (small) part of the route that will also take place at night.
Dominique will be our taxi driver, carrying our luggage each day, while Florence and Gaby expect niches "weather" favorable to progressively reach the summit of Mont Blanc!

Romain, Ferid, David and I

Day 1, Friday, July 30. On the agenda: Les Houches - Cormet Roselend, 42 km.
Didier (UTMB), also pitches in the region, joined us for this day. We start
Houches under the remains of the last rain, some clouds are still clinging to the summits, but the weather looks beautiful. Indeed, over time and our progress, the sky clears and the temperature rises quickly.
We'll try to stick as close to the path of the UTMB. 7 km climb on beautiful paths lead us to the House (1800m) via the neck and Voza The Délevret. That stock, no big difficulty. Then the descent is a bit technical in places, to Saint-Gervais (1000 D-6km), via the ski slope and a pleasant path that winds along the cog railway. Then, 15 km of "highway" to Notre Dame de la Gorge, via Les Contamines to the foot of the Col du Bonhomme, beautiful low rolling roads, just a few small passages MonoTracer trails along the stream. From
new 7 km climb, no technical passages; it thickens a bit after the shelter of La Balme and harder on the last 300 meters of ascent which seem to feature our 2 new buddies, and Ferid Romain, who are only beginning their sentences.
It is much cooler at altitude 2330m Col du Bonhomme.
From there, we zap the UTMB (climb to the Croix du Bonhomme and descent on the Chapieux) to get onto the TDS to Cormet Roselend, where we waited for our taxi. Single direction indicated, we dive into the Cavett, and then the Gitte (which I do not find it on my card!). Whatever, the direction is good, although we arrive somewhere ... This "missed" path leads us along the beautiful gorges, crossing a river (in fact the torrent La Gittaz) until the first home found which tell us our way: "All right , follow this road and you arrive at the cottage on Lake Roselend . Bingo! That's where we're staying. Not a "bar" network to prevent our taxi driver ... We will further 5 miles along this road through the small lake of the dam and its impressive Gittaz,

"The mountain is crying "(according to Roman)

a tunnel dug into the rock pile to reach the magnificent view from the cottage Roselend on the lake of the same name just aft (Col Méraillet). It is not beautiful that? One ecstatic ... and remember the taxi that was supposed to bring us here.
Review of our first day: a few more km (47 GPS), but a magnificent course!

Hotel on the other side, center

Day 2, Saturday, July 31. Planned Program: The Chapieux - La Thuile (It) 45 km
Some legs are stiff when starting off ... Transfer by car to Chapieux Roselend, home to the Nova. the weather is beautiful, not a cloud in the sky. We find the UTMB course, first on paved road and wide road, slightly uphill to the City of Refuge Glacier and Mottets. Here, we attack the first hurdle of the day, 4 km climb to the Col de la Seigne (2516m) which marks the border between France and Italy. Ca "Password" relatively good taking our pace nicely, " we are not cattle nor .
From there, very nice view (which we take the time to enjoy ...) to the lake Combal (or at least what people see ...). The descent is not a problem (except for certain Elisabetta thighs ...), to the refuge, where we will pause "coca-coffee" well deserved with a superb view over the glacier Estelette and the Lee White. The descent to Lake Combal (which I would call "swamp" ... considering what it is) is on a "boulevard" very fast. Then we attack the second problem, the rise of the Ridge of Mount Faber. Here, immediately, that quiet! Beautiful mounted technique of 3 km to 2435m altitude. On the other side, we shot some "crazy bike" material on his back on the rise, to let off steam in the other direction. And they are the ones who treat us crazy to pass!
Hence, it is only down to Courmayeur (mayeur courses, courses via the Col :-)...), Checrouit and refuge of Old House so friendly that my henchmen decide to make a new stop (ouhhhhh, our thighs ....!!). Well, finally, the idea is not bad. I take this opportunity to describe to them the rest of our journey: Courmayeur, Pré-Saint-Didier, La Thuile, is still 17 km. There it was ... saw a few small protests that housing is provided in Courmayeur .... Not good! It will therefore decided to unanimously not to go beyond our hotel (to which we must pass it anyway) and enjoy the evening. I also want to have fun fun in the latest raids Dolonne up quite technical, on the outskirts of Courmayeur. I'll leave for a little while to wait down the hill ...
Finally, we will only 30km ... but, given the additional kilometers of the day, the program is not bad. Then, some began to suffer a little ... Our taxi will also leave for the planned transfer.
Petite ballade and restaurant center in Courmayeur, discovered the place of departure for the CCC-men (and TDS also, but I already know the places ...).

Day 3, Sunday, Aug. 1. Was originally planned: La Thuile - Cormet Roselend (42 km).
Weather set fair. Saw the return to Belgium advanced (our preferred taxi back earlier), the stage will be truncated and limited to thirty miles. Transfer by car to La Thuile, a charming little town. TDS route to Bourg St Maurice. Start climbing regularly, just to "warm" the legs straight up Bridge Serrand, the Col du Petit St Bernard (2188m). The trace of the Dukes of Savoy is not easy to find everywhere on the field, some hesitation, then resumed by GR safety. A small steep road (which eventually disappears ...) brings us to the lake Verney, we finally reach the azimuth pulling through the "Prairie". Altitude lake (2088m) as we round (gently, so as not to disturb the many fishermen in the open competition ...), to join the former hospital of St. Bernard Petit, turned into house tourism. Not even enough to eat, we learn just as there are beer 1 km behind us or 8 km before! We choose the front, no question of return on our steps.
Personally, I will make a short stop to treat the beginnings of a little pain in the Achilles tendon, walking. No problem running ... (so mayeur course, during ...!!).
few hundred yards away, at the turn of parking, "Porschistes" regrouped encourage us: "You run then? . A short stop to explain that we are Belgian, we will run after the beer is 8 km, but we'll have to fork before! With that, a group member leaves a beer cooler ... well cool! We can not refuse and to share this magic potion mouthful! Nice, the Porschistes!
We resume our journey, all downhill path and well stock (a Roman road). At a junction, sure of myself, following the signs to the Col de la Forclaz (which I know the course spends TDS), we get into a nice steady climb in the "hairpin". But after a while, seeing that we would walk away from Bourg St Maurice, and altitude that would not stop going up, I realized that we were .... wrong board! Checks and cross on the map: there are 2 passes Forclaz, and we do not the good, we must turn back! That cut the legs a bit, even if it's a good workout. I'm going down "full throttle" and the remake filled with water at the farm only visible for miles around.
Back on the Roman road, along with our friend ... Roman. The picture needed!
Then change the route to reach the most direct point of our arrival, the station of Bourg St-Germain via Seez. What we will borrow from both technical and pretty little paths and discover a beautiful flower mill.
My tendon is more painful when I walk ... Our taxi was waiting
in the shade of a terrace that we reach.
Finally, we have our 30 km on the odometer, or 110 km on our 3 days. the results are very positive, great course and landscapes found, although some shelters and welcoming.

Everybody back on the road very satisfied, very tired. Roman and Ferid having stored a maximum of tips and techniques directly tested in the field. David UTMB confident on the course, relatively more stock on this side that side CCC. And for my part, I can not wait to discover entrièreté of this trace of the Dukes.