Autumn in Chamonix

Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

Autumn is a funny old time. It feels like change, out with the old and in with the new. It creeps up on us, especially after the glorious Indian Summer we’ve had. We could have been fooled into thinking and feeling that summer would never end.

Alas, all good things come to an end and as glorious as the summer was, it’s exciting to move into a new season. I crave the change, the ability to take time out from an intense yet rewarding season of training, racing and adventures, of late night BBQs and sweaty days in the midday sun. I look forward to the time when the seasons change and I can feel the crispness in the air, dig out my winter clothes and start to plan new projects and adventures to work towards.

This may well be an Autumn I’ll never forget. For my entire life until now, I’ve been a Londoner. Although I went to university in York, lived in Mexico on my gap year and have been fortunate to travel to over 30 countries, London is and always will be my home. Life is busy in London. Everyone rushes about, even if they are not in a rush. I would remind myself I didn’t need to rush (unless I was actually late) but would still find myself wanting to be at my next destination asap.

Sundays were usually my designated time to let life slow down a notch or two.  I would visit the local markets, write blogs, enjoy boozy Sunday brunch sessions with friends. If I fancied something active I would go for a bike ride, swim in London Fields Lido or go for a walk along the Thames. I definitely remember noticing the change of seasons; kicking Autumn leaves in the park like a kid, needing my cold weather gear on the morning run for the first time and that day when it’s still dark by the time you get to work. I remember all of these things, all these changes, but I feel like they flew by without much appreciation. This year it’s been different.

Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

It snowed in Chamonix last week. Not just a light dusting of the white stuff, it really snowed. The kind of snow you want to wake up to on Christmas morning. Thick, heavy and immediately settled on the ground. There was a lot of shrieking and jumping about on my part.

Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

What this means is that winter is well and truly on it’s way. For the first time for me, this is going to mean more than it being colder and darker. There’s going to be a LOT of snow which will change things; the clothes I wear, the sports I do, what the world around me looks like, the amount of time it takes to get from one place to the next.

With each day that it gets colder and the nights close in, I can feel the change in many ways. Of course I’m excited about what the winter has to offer, but each day of Autumn has been beautiful and I’ve been trying to enjoy it as much as I can.

Autumn is an amazing time to have adventures. The world is quieter, the colours are so rich it takes my breath away and the beer tastes just as good. This time last year I was cycling in Sheffield and it was so incredibly beautiful, blog post here, feels like the world is singing to you.

Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

Sport and adventure is part of everyday life in Chamonix, everyone is here for the mountains which is part of the reason I love it here so much. Heading into the hills has been a great way to make friends and also to get that much needed fresh air in my mind, heart and lungs. Here are my favourite Autumn activities I've been up to (in no particular order):

Trail Running

Sophie Radcliffe Trail running in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe Trail running in Chamonix

Wild Swimming

Sophie Radcliffe swimming in Lake Passy, Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe swimming in Lake Passy, Chamonix

Hiking

Sophie Radcliffe hiking in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe hiking in Chamonix

Drinking beer

Sophie Radcliffe drinking beer in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe drinking beer in Chamonix

Climbing

Sophie Radcliffe climbing Cosmiques Arete in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe climbing Cosmiques Arete in Chamonix

Hibernating

Charley Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Charley Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

Admiring

Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

Listening (to my thoughts and the world)

Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

Making adventure buddies

Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

Baking

Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix
Sophie Radcliffe, Autumn in Chamonix

What is it like in your corner of the world? How have you been spending this beautiful time of year? Never too late to grab yourself an Autumn adventure, go on, scratch that itch!