An Adventure In Vercors / 2nd Tour Report November 2019

We begin our hike to the Refuge in the early morning. Halfway the snow is more and more present! There is a good layer of 15 / 20cm.

After making most of the ascent, we stop in the sun for lunch! It feels so good to sit in the snow and eat good products in good company.

Then we continue the hike to the refuge. While we are almost arrived, a big male Alpine Ibex is only 40 meters up our path. We go to meet him, but with the fog we surprise each other and he ends up going the other way. A missed opportunity for us but we did not disturb him much at all. Alpine Ibex are used to humans and not really shy. Between two layers of fog, a spot of white snow catches my eye. Well, would not it be a ptarmigan? Oh yes !! We approach it slowly. The encounter is exceptional.

The tour starts very very well! It passes behind a small hill, time for us to leave quietly without bothering it.

Once arrived at the refuge, we leave our camping equipment and go to meet a small group of Alpine Ibex we spotted nearby.

We then have a superb view of the most beautiful mountain of Vercors. The light is exceptional. The moment is absolutely magical. One of those experiences in the wild that we hope to live every single time we go out. Our participants have time to compose their images as they wish, and also to enjoy this moment of pure beauty simply with their eyes.

Light begins to diminish and the moon rises. A perfect opportunity to make some more great images.

When night falls, the blue hour sometimes gives really great photo opportunities.

We return to the refuge to eat linguine with some blue cheese from Vercors!

After a cool night we pack all our equipment and go out looking for Alpine Ibex. It has snowed in the night leaving a beautiful white coat on these beautiful mountains, but making walking more tiring. We quickly find Alpine Ibex on our way.

The atmosphere is incredible. Breathtaking. So different from the day before and just as magical. There is white everywhere.

We stay with the Alpine Ibex for several hours to the delight of our participants. We take our picnic on the spot with the ibex before going back down.

It was an extraordinary weekend.

Luca

Guide Salva Fauna