Arriving in the Chamonix valley, winding our way in to the French Alps, our newly fixed and hard working wiper keeping the road ahead in sight, snow gently falling in the head lights, we were all pretty weary after a long journey. While we couldn’t see the surrounding mountains due to the darkness, it was obvious we had arrived at a higher altitude by the crisp fresh air, and increasing drop in temperature. Even the prospect of being here had already helped lift our spirits, hunger looming Pete had our first destination in mind, Midnight Express, a local burger joint on the high street, I had been promised this would rival any burger I had ever tasted, a lot to live up to. Let me tell you I have had some good burgers on my travels!
Making our way down Chamonix’s main street snow bunnies, and seasonaires awash, I was reminded of my past and time in the mountains, reminiscing down this snowy memory lane, as great as it was I was starving and was soon snapped back in to reality by the tempting smell, emanating from the little shack pumping out good old trance music, I have to say it was a tasty burger, but I am not sure it beats Ferg Burger in Queenstown NZ. Now we also had a little problem by here, this was supposed our first night outside and under the stars, but our man in the know Pete had a plan, unfortunately the camp spot he had in mind was now a ski slope! Luckily a good friend of his called Leanne offered us an amazing place to stay, warm beds, showers and new friends to be made, Indie the adventure dog, and as there always is in ski resorts a whole bunch of ozzies enjoying the snow.
The next morning / afternoon after catching up with some sleep we were all feeling a little fresher and ready to get our adventure officially started, making plans and discussing options we decided it was time to get out the ice axes, dust of the climbing gear and head to The Zoo, one of Chamonix premier dry tooling spots for our first official shoot as part of the project. Due to fading light, and the extra long lie in a few of the team had, this was going to be a night shoot.
As we packed our bags and charged our batteries you could see the Panda’s getting more excited, mirrored by the growing enthusiasm of our two climbers. Throwing all the gear in the trusty van we head down the valley away from Chamonix town, with a quick pit stop at a super market to grab some fuel for the body and mind, we soon arrived in the middle of nowhere pulling up alongside a pile of wood. Pete reliably informing us that it was a short twenty-ish minute walk up the hill, as we unpacked the van we were greeted by what may have at first appeared to be savage dogs, barking and howling, eyes glowing in our head torches like a scene from resident evil.
At first this seemed to be the biggest challenge it soon became apparent that there were other obstacles to overcome, namely finding The Zoo in the dark!
Well we tramped around up and down hills like The Grand Old Duke of York’s men, eventually splitting in to teams, howling like wolves to communicate in the dark, this was the first sign of trouble with my old knee, but we will come back to that in a minute. After the young guns failed to find our destination it fell to this old fella to have a wander in the woods, well yep send an old cripple to do a boys job and yes it will get done, a quick ten minute hunt and a holla to Pete, we managed to find what we were looking for.
An amazing wall slightly overhung, dripping down on the forest below, but offering us shelter and inviting us in to play. As Jack and Pete got there gear together, the Panda crew got their toys out, Ben setting up the crane, Dale getting out his genie, not to make wishes, but to help dreams come true with awesome night lapsing skills. There is so much I could say about this place but you will just have to wait and see when the film comes out, spoilers after all. Now after all this hiking around and slipping in the mud and leaves, we were pretty tuckered out and honestly ready for bed.
The next morning I was awake before the crew, and with a little glimpse out the window I was invigorated by the super sunshine revealing the majestic mountains, with a skip in my step I was out of bed and ready to take on the day, I grabbed Indie and we headed out for a quick stroll in the sun, I say stroll but it was more of a limp / hobble. For the first time in a long time I felt invigorated, the mountains taking there effect on me, inspiring and humbling, reminding me of my insignificance in the bigger picture, helping me put perspective on just bout everything I have going on right now. I don’t know what it is but the mountains seem to have a magical effect on me, drawing me in and bringing me out all at the same time.
Once I returned from my bimble in the snow with my new friend Indie the dog, I chatted and relaxed with the ozzies, soon joined by the boys. Now we all were keen to do something, but the day was already passing, we all had a few whisky nightcaps the night before so we decided that maybe it was time to check out town and maybe check out my knee in a more professional manner, rather than a curious sideshow. A trip in to town ended in beers and burgers, I mean it was happy hour at Monkey Bar after all. After some debate we decided I best go see the doc and get his opinion on my knee as a unusual bruising had started to develop, now this in itself was a challenge with my pigeon french and his broken english, we finally came to an agreement that it was not looking good and I should probably get, as he put it, a pregnant lady scan, I think he really meant ultrasound, but I like the way he put it so I am adopting it as my own.
While I was glad of the advice and the prescription for some pain killers and a proper knee brace, this soon proved to be an expensive endeavor, and could indeed prove to be yet further costly. On the up side I was enticed in to a back room by two lovely pharmacists who asked me to take my trouser off, I did for a moment wonder what was in store! It was to my relief, or disappointment, I am not sure, it was just a fitting for a new knee brace. Finally and with a sense of relief, I now had a professional medical opinion and we were back on track.
Back to the chalet we had work to do, time for more toys, Dale flying his quad, slider shots and cuts aways checked off, just tine for one more night shot in Chamonix high street, this was as always when filming in public spaces drew a lot of attention but made us feel like rock stars, even though the truth couldn’t really be further from it, with Pete’s modest attitude to his natural talent and athleticism. Our last night in Chamonix, for now, rounded off with a beer and sharing of stories you could really start to feel the group gelling, and working as a team. One last sleep in a warm chalet before the prospect of our first real night in sub zero temperatures, and it was time for the see you later, chows, and goodbyes, back in the van and headed for Switzerland, we were sad to say goodbye, but knew we would be back in a few days after our trip to Saas Fee for the Ice Climbing World Cup.
Making our way down Chamonix’s main street snow bunnies, and seasonaires awash, I was reminded of my past and time in the mountains, reminiscing down this snowy memory lane, as great as it was I was starving and was soon snapped back in to reality by the tempting smell, emanating from the little shack pumping out good old trance music, I have to say it was a tasty burger, but I am not sure it beats Ferg Burger in Queenstown NZ. Now we also had a little problem by here, this was supposed our first night outside and under the stars, but our man in the know Pete had a plan, unfortunately the camp spot he had in mind was now a ski slope! Luckily a good friend of his called Leanne offered us an amazing place to stay, warm beds, showers and new friends to be made, Indie the adventure dog, and as there always is in ski resorts a whole bunch of ozzies enjoying the snow.
The next morning / afternoon after catching up with some sleep we were all feeling a little fresher and ready to get our adventure officially started, making plans and discussing options we decided it was time to get out the ice axes, dust of the climbing gear and head to The Zoo, one of Chamonix premier dry tooling spots for our first official shoot as part of the project. Due to fading light, and the extra long lie in a few of the team had, this was going to be a night shoot.
As we packed our bags and charged our batteries you could see the Panda’s getting more excited, mirrored by the growing enthusiasm of our two climbers. Throwing all the gear in the trusty van we head down the valley away from Chamonix town, with a quick pit stop at a super market to grab some fuel for the body and mind, we soon arrived in the middle of nowhere pulling up alongside a pile of wood. Pete reliably informing us that it was a short twenty-ish minute walk up the hill, as we unpacked the van we were greeted by what may have at first appeared to be savage dogs, barking and howling, eyes glowing in our head torches like a scene from resident evil.
At first this seemed to be the biggest challenge it soon became apparent that there were other obstacles to overcome, namely finding The Zoo in the dark!
Well we tramped around up and down hills like The Grand Old Duke of York’s men, eventually splitting in to teams, howling like wolves to communicate in the dark, this was the first sign of trouble with my old knee, but we will come back to that in a minute. After the young guns failed to find our destination it fell to this old fella to have a wander in the woods, well yep send an old cripple to do a boys job and yes it will get done, a quick ten minute hunt and a holla to Pete, we managed to find what we were looking for.
An amazing wall slightly overhung, dripping down on the forest below, but offering us shelter and inviting us in to play. As Jack and Pete got there gear together, the Panda crew got their toys out, Ben setting up the crane, Dale getting out his genie, not to make wishes, but to help dreams come true with awesome night lapsing skills. There is so much I could say about this place but you will just have to wait and see when the film comes out, spoilers after all. Now after all this hiking around and slipping in the mud and leaves, we were pretty tuckered out and honestly ready for bed.
The next morning I was awake before the crew, and with a little glimpse out the window I was invigorated by the super sunshine revealing the majestic mountains, with a skip in my step I was out of bed and ready to take on the day, I grabbed Indie and we headed out for a quick stroll in the sun, I say stroll but it was more of a limp / hobble. For the first time in a long time I felt invigorated, the mountains taking there effect on me, inspiring and humbling, reminding me of my insignificance in the bigger picture, helping me put perspective on just bout everything I have going on right now. I don’t know what it is but the mountains seem to have a magical effect on me, drawing me in and bringing me out all at the same time.
Once I returned from my bimble in the snow with my new friend Indie the dog, I chatted and relaxed with the ozzies, soon joined by the boys. Now we all were keen to do something, but the day was already passing, we all had a few whisky nightcaps the night before so we decided that maybe it was time to check out town and maybe check out my knee in a more professional manner, rather than a curious sideshow. A trip in to town ended in beers and burgers, I mean it was happy hour at Monkey Bar after all. After some debate we decided I best go see the doc and get his opinion on my knee as a unusual bruising had started to develop, now this in itself was a challenge with my pigeon french and his broken english, we finally came to an agreement that it was not looking good and I should probably get, as he put it, a pregnant lady scan, I think he really meant ultrasound, but I like the way he put it so I am adopting it as my own.
While I was glad of the advice and the prescription for some pain killers and a proper knee brace, this soon proved to be an expensive endeavor, and could indeed prove to be yet further costly. On the up side I was enticed in to a back room by two lovely pharmacists who asked me to take my trouser off, I did for a moment wonder what was in store! It was to my relief, or disappointment, I am not sure, it was just a fitting for a new knee brace. Finally and with a sense of relief, I now had a professional medical opinion and we were back on track.
Back to the chalet we had work to do, time for more toys, Dale flying his quad, slider shots and cuts aways checked off, just tine for one more night shot in Chamonix high street, this was as always when filming in public spaces drew a lot of attention but made us feel like rock stars, even though the truth couldn’t really be further from it, with Pete’s modest attitude to his natural talent and athleticism. Our last night in Chamonix, for now, rounded off with a beer and sharing of stories you could really start to feel the group gelling, and working as a team. One last sleep in a warm chalet before the prospect of our first real night in sub zero temperatures, and it was time for the see you later, chows, and goodbyes, back in the van and headed for Switzerland, we were sad to say goodbye, but knew we would be back in a few days after our trip to Saas Fee for the Ice Climbing World Cup.
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