Old Members’ Trust Graduate Conference and Academic Travel Fund Report – Catherine Baldwin (2023, DPhil Earth Sciences)

I was recently fortunate enough to take part in the Univ II Chalet reading party from the 12th to 22nd July 2024. It was a truly unforgettable experience consisting of alternate reading and walking days, and supported throughout by copious amounts of French wine, cheese, and friendship.

Reading days consisted of quiet, thoughtful mornings exploring the Chalet’s eclectic library, followed by lunch and an afternoon of sunbathing, drawing, and participating in the legendary sport of Chalet Tennis. On some mornings, a few brave volunteers took on the epic ‘croissant run’ down to Saint Gervais and back, making the rest of our leisurely mornings all the more enjoyable. These mornings gave me the space and time to think on my DPhil work, as well as explore new genres of reading material. Walking days started off with the local peak Le Prarion (1,969m) before venturing further over to Col de Tricot (2,120m) and then the Tête Rousse refuge hut at 3,167m. The refuge rests on the northern flank of the Mont Blanc massif and involves a 13-hour round trip and small glacier crossing to reach. Everyone coped well with the general lack of terrestrial and atmospheric stability, and we reached the refuge just in time for lunch. The view from the top was well worth it, and it is by far the most rewarding walk I have ever done.

The Chalet is full of life, character, and a history that you can’t help but feel a part of when you’re there. On one of the first reading days I picked up an original copy of Edward Whymper’s infamous Scrambles Amongst the Alps. Carefully opening the front page, I found the signature “F. F. Urquhart, 1907,” and was immediately transported back in time to the early Chalet pioneers’ parties. Our party was certainly not exempt from the many traditions and quirks that make Chalet life what it is, although we did create a new event with the first ever live-stream of a football match (which shall not be named due to the score).

The Chalet depends on everyone to make it work, and has a long-established friendship with Le Prarion Hotel, as well as the neighbouring Boucher family. Everyone in our group helped to make things run smoothly. This meant that we enjoyed a luxurious three-course meal and log fire every evening. Most evenings consisted of a civilised starter, a main course entertainingly introduced by that evening’s chefs, and a dessert topped off with a talk on Chalet history or a briefing for the next day’s walk. Then the fire would slowly dwindle, and so would we. On our last day, we were kindly hosted by the Boucher family for afternoon tea, and after cleaning down the Chalet we enjoyed a last meal as a group before going our separate ways the next morning.

It has been a real privilege to stay in this remarkable home in the mountains. I sincerely thank the Trustees and College for their support which enabled me to participate, and Jack and Andrew for leading the Univ II party.

Published: 1 November 2024

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