Sophie Radcliffe: Longing for winter adventures
/NEWS
As this is not my first post in this magazine, you might already know that most of my articles revolve around some kind of challenge or adventure I went through. This time is no difference: As winter is already around the corner, I’d like to share some of my favorite stories about the French Alps.
I had been living in London for all my live, but some years ago, I decided that it’s time to change a few things: I quit my job and moved to Chamonix, in the middle of the French Alps. This place has captured my heart since I first discovered it – no big surprise, as you can always find a good adventure in the mountains.
Ski Touring
Since I moved, I seized the opportunity to try out and learn many different kinds of sports. Especially those that I have never been able to do back in London. One of those special kinds of sports is ski touring – a sport that I instantly fell in love with and was fascinated by.
I could never imagine it was possible to strap skins on your skis and just hike up the mountains with them in order to explore the backcountry. But it is, and let me tell you: It’s amazing. Putting in huge physical effort on the way up will always be worth the exhilaration of skiing down afterwards.
Winter Climbing
Another adventurous sport that had me from the very first time I tried it is winter climbing. The Mont Blanc is a real mekka for challenge seekers like me. With crampons on my feet and some ice axes in my hands, there’s no ice wall that can stop me from climbing it up.
As you are roped up to your climbing partner and working your way up meter by meter, you can only concentrate on where you put the next screw that secures you. But let me give you some important advice never forget to wiggle your toes and fingers to keep them from getting to cold! All the effort is rewarded with a beautiful view from the summit, followed by a delicious hot chocolate after abseiling back down.
Wild Camping
But the experience that felt the most like a real adventure was definitely my wild camping trip with some friends. People already looked pretty skeptically at us for going uphill with the last lift for the day – not packed with skis, but with a tent, sleeping bags and a good old bottle of whiskey.
As we arrived at the station, we immediately started putting up our camp for the night. Sitting far above the mountain villages, sharing stories, seeing the lights in the distance – this feeling was so divine, it’s even hard to describe. This sure was one of the coldest nights I ever had, but still: I wouldn’t want to miss that experience for the world.
STATEMENT
My decision to move to Chamonix, right next to the French Alps, was one of the best I’ve ever made. There’s so much to explore in the mountains. This is why i strongly recommend: Go ahead and find out for yourselves!
GALLERY
Source of gallery images: Daniel Wildey
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