Dent d'Oche

Dent d'Oche (2222 m) is a prominent mountain seen from Lausanne, and while I lived in Lausanne I would often look at it across the lake and think that one day I should walk up there. In late summer this year I finally did. We walked from Fontaine, up past Darbon and the Chalets d'Oche, then steeply up the south-west side of Dent d'Oche to go past the refuge and get to the summit.

Dent d'Oche from the French side, with the path up on the left.

From the top there were breathtaking views: to the north was the giant Lac Léman with Lausanne on its other shore and the Jura in the distance. To the south, Mont Blanc's pale form hovered mystically on the horizon. Nearby there were rows and rows of jagged mountains, including the Dents du Midi and Cornettes de Bise. It was a magnificently clear day.

The view down to the easten end of Lac Léman, with Montreux.

Grammont (L) and the Cornettes de Bise (R).

Here are two panorama pictures: the first looks north-west, the second south-east.

We traversed the mountain and walked down on the east side of the summit, then over a little col to the Lac de Darbon and up to cut under the Pointe de Bénévent. The views of the Cornettes de Bise became more and more impressive.

Here the Grand Combin appeared between the Cornettes and the Dents du Midi.

While walking near Mont de Chillon we were shepherded past a flock of sheep by a very large, white, shepherd dog (un patou) who ensured we kept a safe distance. Unlike the last time I met a patou on a hike, this time there was no barking and we were allowed to pass. This was extra lucky because right after we were out of range of the dog, we saw a truly enormous herd of bouquetin (ibex) just hanging out in the sunny field. There were at least 30 of them! It made for a wonderful end to a wonderful walk.

Cornettes de Bise reflected in the Lac de Fontaine.

Graubünden

L'Argentine