<\/span><\/h2>\nMajestically standing as the queen of the Alps, soaring to a staggering 4,810 m, she impressively wields her domain like a woman shoe-scavenging during the sale season.<\/p>\n
Little did I know that I was about to come face to face with her take-no-prisoners mantra when I decided to scale her perilous pistes.<\/p>\n
My expert guide, Sebastian, had pre-warned me that this would be no easy feat but, with adrenaline searing through my veins and a somewhat misguided confidence I signed on the dotted line, (and you think I am joking!)\u2026<\/p>\n
With Sebastian at the helm we embarked upon the classic Gouter Route, starting our journey with a cable-car ride from Les Houches and a tramway to Nid d\u2019Aigle.<\/p>\n
Our climb continued on in this leisurely fashion as we crunched along the soft terrain, breathing in the crisp alpine air\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2026Sorry to lull you into a false slumber there!<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, this gentle climb met a rather untimely demise.<\/p>\n
Instead, facing us was a five-hour trek of muscle-aching exertion to reach the Gouter refuge.<\/p>\n
Adding further insult to injury, our treacherous trek was being captured on film, (ever worthy of Candid Camera, perhaps the pearly lining to our snow-coated cloud!)<\/p>\n
On the second day, further scrambling, clambering and crawling were in order to traverse the now far-reaching glacial grounds.<\/p>\n
With crampons and ice ax supporting us like a much-needed crutch, the goal of reaching the snow-hazed summit fueled us on.<\/p>\n
After a slow ascent over Bosses ridge, our highest hurdle, we finally reached the tip of the iceberg, the top of the peak and the end of our journey.<\/p>\n
True, no comparisons to Neil Armstrong can be made here but one must always celebrate their own little victories.<\/p>\n
As the sun shimmered across the soft folds of Chamonix\u2019s undulating valley, we admired the breath-taking views from the peak of Chamonix\u2019s power: La Dame Blanche\u2019s icy throne.<\/p>\n
Like a dollop of whipped cream on top of a molten chocolat chaud, her snow-drift summit was a worth-the-wait indulgent treat.<\/p>\n
Back in the warming embrace of my accommodation in Chamonix, I reveled in the secret of Chamonix\u2019s success.<\/p>\n
Whilst many have an appetite for Chamonix\u2019s apr\u00e8s-ski adventures, the Chamonix bars and Chamonix clubs are notorious among the skiing scene, I knew better.<\/p>\n
Like a girlfriend who uncovers a secret gift, I smiled smugly knowing who truly held all the keys to Chamonix\u2019s icy kingdom.<\/p>\n
<\/span>Isabella Rose<\/span><\/h2>\nIsabella is an enthusiastic traveler with a love of adventure.<\/p>\n
Having studied History of Art and Italian at university, it has been her lifelong dream to move to Italy to revel in the art, culture and of course the gelato!<\/p>\n
<\/span>Go Skiing in Andorra<\/span><\/h2>\n