I last hiked with Roger and his dad Ridge in 2007. We conquered the summit of Mont Ventoux and scaled to the top of the limestone pinnacles of the Dentelles de Montmirail via a narrow chimney.
This time around we began in St. Rémy de Provence, along the ridge of the Alpilles mountains:
Below Roger admires the view from atop the Alpilles, extending to the Mediterranean Sea:
Day 2 coffee in Bonnieux, pre-hike...
... fuel to climb towards the majestic cedar forest atop the Luberon, seen below:
Visiting the village of Lacoste after the hike:
Day 3's daunting task: climbing to the summit of the Sainte Victoire mountain from its base, below:
Ridge pointing towards the summit, ready to attack...
... as are the three Canadian kids below -- 6 to 7 years old -- who would reach the top shortly after we would. Message to my brother Michael: Miles will be able to do this in 2 years' time! (and no, these kids had no prior hiking experience)...
The long ascent atop the spiny crest:
And without much of a challenge (but a good sweat nonetheless) the summit is reached, some 1000m in altitude.
See you guys in another five years' time...
