We started in Chamonix at an altitude of 1,035 meters (3,396 feet) and 26°C (78°F).  We took the Montenvers rack rail train up the side of one of the mountains to the Mer de Glace, the largest glacier in France, pictured below, at an altitude of 1913 meters (6,276 feet) and 16°C (61°F).  The glacier is pretty amazing, but has suffered from the effects of climate change – its thickness has been reduced by 3-4 meters/year since 1988.

Continue reading Chamonix-Mont Blanc: La Mer de Glace and L’Aiguille du Midi →