Canadian World Traveller Spring 2020 Issue

20
The Mont Blanc Circuit with Boundless Journeys
by Olivia Balsinger
Our personal reasons for deciding to
circumnavigate Mont Blanc were as
diverse as the hiking group itself.
One was using the physical challenge of the
hike as a reminder he is more than a successful
entrepreneur. Two were already best
friends but wanted their girl-time bonding in
the pristine wilderness. And me? For me, it
has been an especially draining year--physically,
mentally, and especially emotionally.
My best friend had died in a gory car accident
just months prior. I knew that in order to
fully digest the complex emotions surrounding
such a sudden tragedy, I needed to
escape the noise pollution of society and
think clearly once again. And so to the
mountains, I fled.
Whatever our reasons for signing up, one
thing was clear: We all hoped the crisp late
August air of the Alps would be therapeutic
on our circuit of Mont Blanc, Europe's largest
mountain at 15,770 feet, with tour operator
Boundless Journeys.
Little did we know it would provide much
more. The journey of our motley crew of five
strangers began in the quaint French ski town
and official base of Mont Blanc, Chamonix,
where we first shared our goals and inspirations
for the journey over cheese fondue. Our
guide, Irene, assured us that no matter personal
abilities, we would succeed and complete
the circuit as a group. And before we
had time to second guess our strength, the
next morning, we were off.
The Tour de Mont Blanc, a stunning circuit
through Switzerland, France, and Italy, is one
of the world's greatest inn-to-inn hikes and
adventures. I knew it would be a challenging
physical journey, but I had underestimated
the incredible melange of culture we would
be immersed in as well. As we meandered
through dramatic landscapes shaped by hillsides
and carved by river, as we snaked our
way from village to village, we noticed
changes in language, cuisine, architecture
and culture. In Switzerland, our hiking was
often in rhythm to cowbells noisily dinging in
the field. In the medieval town of
Courmayeur, Italy, we enjoyed gelato and
pizza as our rewards for the day, meandering
the stone streets of the city. France, of course,
meant cheese aplenty--Raclette, Reblochon,
and Beaufort cheese, oh my! We seldom had
connections to the outside world as cell data
and WiFi were scarce. Instead, our group
bonded through the literal highs and lows,
through moments where we couldn't imagine
hiking that foreboding hill in the distance to
those where we looked back in awe of what
we had accomplished.
Though I was initially apprehensive about
joining a tour group for the adventure (in my
head, I'm much more Bear Grylls-esque than
reality), I soon understood why joining a tour
group was beneficial. Even before the hike
commenced, Boundless Journeys was
preparing me with packing lists, exercise suggestions,
and reading materials. Our leader,
a Mont Blanc veteran and environmentalist,
was an encyclopedia of information--from
the villages, we would hike through to various
types of vegetation, Irene's knowledge
was a constant aid.
A bittersweet end to our communal journey
nine days later as we arrived back to
Chamonix, with sore muscles, expanded perspectives,
and lifelong memories. The challenge
and the beauty of the mountain was
now a part of each of us--and no matter the
reason for joining the program, we all
arrived back changed. Mission accomplished.
www.boundlessjourneys.com
Canadian World Traveller Spring 2020