last 20 years, and it is more inclusive,
more accessible, and more enjoyable
than ever before.
Before you start out, it’s worth
making sure that you have enough
kit with you in terms of both safety,
and the rapidly changing weather
conditions in the mountains. It’s
worth investing in a decent pair of
trail running shoes. Compared to road
shoes, these have a more aggressive
tread, a rock plate in the sole to stop
your feet bruising on rough ground,
and a toe box to reduce the amount
of blackened toe nails. Oh yes, forget
the L’Oreal foot model contract - if you
ever take up trail running, you’ve got
to forget that as a future career.
When running in the mountains, it’s
worth taking a running pack to carry
the essential safety gear. A running
back is typically up to 12 litres volume,
and fits very well to avoid movement
and chaffing. In it you should carry
some water, a rain jacket, extra layer,
survival blanket, whistle, phone,
head torch, hat, gloves, first aid kit,
snacks, map and compass. These are
pretty standard obligatory kit for any
trail running race, and even on the
days when it looks sunny, in the Alps
especially the afternoon convection
storms can quickly bubble up and
catch you in a downpour.
To enjoy Alpine trail running you
don’t have to be superhumanly fit.
You need to be in good condition for
running, but to be determined and
highly adaptable. Adapt your output to
the terrain, and the length of your run.
Some of the best trail runners aren’t
the fittest or the fastest, but those
with the most tricks up their sleeves,
who save energy wherever possible.
Remember that laziness and efficiency
are the same thing re-marketed!
Safety is always a key
consideration, and if you are trail
running in Chamonix, the mecca of
European mountain sports, there is
generally very good phone reception
around the massif, in event of needing
to call mountain rescue. It’s good
practice to always run with a friend,
so you have some backup in case
of an emergency. Navigation on the
trails is fairly straightforward, due to
the amount of signage in the Alps,
so navigators who fear the clouds
days in the UK hills, will find Alpine
trail running navigation a doddle. It’s
still worth taking a map, in case plans
change. Always check the weather
forecast when setting out trail running,
and don’t be afraid to adapt.
< Chamonix Plan de l’Aiguille
Kingsley finishing the UTMB
Mer de Glace and the Grand
Balcon Nord (France) 15.3km,
+ 1260m, 4h 30m
From Trail Running - Chamonix and the
Mont Blanc Region
If you only run one route in the Chamonix
valley, make it this one. Start near the
Montenvers train station, and run up through
the Le Planards ski slopes, along the ‘James
Bond’ ski track out from the Vallee Blanche.
In the summer it’s snow (and skier) free,
and you zig-zag upwards through the trees
to reach the edge of the Mer de Glace next
to its snout, at the charming Les Mottets
buvette. Here you turn right and thread
your way up through the moraines, keeping
left at the junction, to arrive just below the
upper Montenvers station 1913m. The view
ahead to the Mer de Glace and the Grandes
Jorasses at its head are breathtaking. Run
up to the train station, then ascend further
towards Le Signal. This is the high point of
the run, and the view of the one kilometre
high West Face of Les Drus across the
glacier, is quite something!
After taking photos, and catching your
breath, run across the balcony trail to the
Plan d’Aiguille. This undulating path offers
very aerial