Another good day in Chamonix

The town is beginning to be taken over by skinny, Lycra clad, trail runners as running vests begin to out number climbing packs. The first of seven races, involving almost 10,000 runners, starts Monday. The first race - the PTL - is the most unusual. Three hundred teams of three have 152 hours to complete a 300k route with 25,000 meters of ascent. The route is semi-self supported, involves easy rock climbing and glacial travel, and it is not flagged so expertise with map, compass, and GPS is critical.

Today I hiked up to the Blatiere pasture for the Chamonix livestock. After the 80 minute 2300' ascent I stopped at the farmhouse to sample some goat cheese products.