Ice Spectacular

Geography field trip to Chamonix, July 2012

Thirty-one keen geographers from Years 9 and 10 enjoyed a week in early July studying geographical features in the Chamonix region of the Alps. While Devon suffered some of the worst weather for many years, the Exeter School party were able to enjoy warm sunny weather with some wonderful views.

The pupils had a full itinerary, the highlights of which were a walk along the Grand Balcon to the Mer de Glace, field-sketching Mont Blanc in the shadow of the Brévent and walking through the Diosaz Gorge. The chance to swim in Lake Annecy, a glacially fed lake and allegedly the cleanest in France, was a first for many pupils, as was walking on the Argentière Glacier. An activity observed, but not attempted by the group, was three men in wing suits jumping off the top of a 2525m-high mountain.