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!
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, 
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! 
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.
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.
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