Glacier d’Argentière – The eternal ice

Glacier-hunt in Chamonix Mont-Blanc.

Temperature: 8°C / Felt like 4°C

Moving Time: 3:56:17

Distance: 19.92km

Elevation: 1126m

Cloudy; Humidity: 79%

Gear Check

When I was the first time visiting Chamonix Mont-Blanc in 2021 for the UTMB finals,

I was not aware yet which magic lies in this beautiful valley, what this trail running excitement is about, what it means to run in the high mountains. My trail run experience was was expanding mainly around Lisbon, Portugal weather: Extreme humide in the winter with temperatures reaching from 6° lowest to 35°C in the summer month. The difference was, the weather would not change to the extreme within minutes! As an sportswear apparel designer and passionate trail runner, I wish to dive into the activity I am designing for. Within the past 3 years, my life has transformed more and more out from cites and road runs into the nature, high up in the mountains, exposed to extreme weather conditions – through the elements. What excites me the most is the unknown, the surprises around every corner and within every elevation gain, discovering wonderful colours and

This year, for the first time, I have preferred to spend my summer vacation in the high mountains rather than on the beach. Being out in the elements, climbing up steep hills, reaching places that you have to work for to see them. One thing that fascinates me the most at Chamonix are the 7 major glaciers. It seems like a connection from the very top of the mountain reaching like a gigantic tongue into the valley. The closer you get, the more you see the beautiful shades of blue shining through a layer of stones and mud – only visible if you are able to get as close as possible.

With a weather forecast of 8°C and a mix of sun, clouds, and rain, it’s essential to be prepared for anything! Luckily, under the guidance of an experienced ultra trail runner, I was mostly happy with my clothing choices—except for one crucial part: my gloves! Hands and feet are especially sensitive to changes in weather and temperature, so I should have anticipated the need for better protection. For this winter season, I’ll definitely be investing in the warmest pair of windproof, waterproof trail running mittens that are not only lightweight and pole-friendly but also have reflective elements for those darker days.

Crossing water passages—more like small alpine rivers at times—has convinced me to upgrade to GTX footwear for future runs. Fortunately, for this particular 4-hour, 21km run, I managed to keep my feet warm and dry.

My real lifesaver, though, was my windproof hood, which reaches up to my chin. Without it, I would’ve struggled to stay warm as we climbed higher and hit an elevation of 800m. Up there, we were greeted by icy gusts of wind strong enough to feel like they could blow you right off the mountain!

 

 

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