I’m telling you at the outset that you won’t find another marmot in Le Clou who looks like me.

Look at this little gentian behind my right ear! I can’t be mistaken.

For some time, I’ve had a burning desire to go adventuring inside me!

To risk a bit of danger, meet the people around here and more than anything, discover new things!

Yip, that’s the word – discover!

Two days ago, I decided to take my courage between my two hands and for the first time, to brave the road that goes to La Fouly. I was walking slowly, step by step – so as not to miss the countryside. On the way, I passed several tourists who seemed to think it was funny to see me walking along with my bag on my shoulder. I left the road just before the village and went on a little path with an even better view, beautiful, old houses, some strange metal things and the impressive A Neuve glacier. But dusk was already falling and I had to return to my burrow…

When I got back, I still had a sense of unfinished business. It had been way too short and I would so much have liked to have seen more! Torn between the desire to travel the world and the desire to stay with my family, I couldn’t make up my mind what to choose … I dreamt of being dazzled by nature once again. No matter what it took!

What if I whistled for Gaston the Eaglet? He’s a young raptor that I’ve been watching for some time now. He flies, or should I say, flies over me, every time I am on sentry duty. He must have that fantastic feeling of being able to explore all the vistas in the area with great ease – to see everything thanks to his wings.

Maybe I could accompany him on one of his trips? Oh – and here he is!

Not even time to be scared before he sweeps me up and takes me into the sky with him …

Même pas le temps d’avoir peur, qu’il me capture et m’emporte avec lui dans les airs…

After my first adventures in La Fouly, a young hawk called Gaston brought me in his talons and he left me at the top of a tree above the valley. Dizzy, I rushed to reach the mainland. That is how I find myself in the middle of lots of trees: a real maze!

Having no words for my legendary curiosity, I get involved in this environment so different from mine. Very quickly, my paw hits a little cap poised on the top of a stem. I bend down to watch it. Whoa, it releases a strange smell, slightly sweet…

Being more and more interested, I examine it carefully. The cap has a green-yellowish colour, typical of the alpine pasture grasses. I take the risk to touch it: what a magnificent texture! Would it be safe to eat? My stomach is growling.

Before eating it, I hear suddenly a falling branch: a squirrel! Rapidly, he jumps down and he reaches me: “Stop, let go of this mushroom! It is deadly! It is a death cap!” I am still shaking for the fear…

My new friend tells me that: “There are millions of mushroom species, but a little part of them are edible. In doubt, avoid picking them and seek information from the experts! You will learn a lot along the way.”

Feeling better and after having said goodbye to my friend the squirrel, I follow the forest pathway and I discover with great interest a number of panels and games that represent the wonderful world of mushrooms.

Gotten to the end of the pathway, I see Gaston the Hawk flying over the valley. After my whistle, he rushes to find me, because he is always impatient to hear about my last adventures. That is what I do on the way back to La Fouly!

What a pleasure to fly with Gaston the Hawk!

From here, the view is amazing and it is surely the best way to find some pleasant spots where we can rest a bit.

Oops! A gust of wind diverts our trajectory. The weather is going to change, isn’t it? It seems that the airflow persists, maybe it is increasing, and it drives us towards snow-capped peaks. Two years ago, I believed that the world stopped at La Fouly; but I discovered at that time the beautiful spots of Champex and its small lake. Maybe it is only the beginning and I am bound to explore other places.

The Val Ferret is now behind us and we fly over a huge stretch of snow and ice, where there is no need to leave a poor marmot. The last bluish tracks of the glacier reveal amazing meadows where there are some scattered houses.

Gaston the Hawk is again guided by the wind; the airflow takes us in a new valley wilder than the previous one. On each side, the slopes seem too steep and unfavourable for an easy landing.

On our left, I see a little village up in the mountains: it reminds me of Le Clou above La Fouly, where I was born. Maybe we can make an approach! Exhausted, Gaston accepts my proposal and he tries to land up above the barn, on a rocky promontory. Suddenly, we hear a rolling rock; it is falling from a slope at high speed. Suddenly, it bumps into a trunk. Phew, no harm was done!

The calm has come back and I hear some squeaks in the near forest. A family of squirrels are discussing with some birds about this rock: «Another rock that will not cause any damage! » says Ms. Squirrel, before continuing: «Since the human has put all these protections in the mountains, the place has become as safe as our nest. Trees and avalanche barriers, it is a recipe for safety! »

Looking around, I perceive many buildings made with metal, wood or rock, attached to the mountains: the human did some works to be able to live in this awesome region despite these dangers! He also created a pathway to let discover the beauties and the particularities of this region. We animals adapt ourselves to nature, while the human exploits nature for his needs. This is the difference…

However, let’s not talk about my philosophy anymore, it is time to go back home! The wind has returned and Gaston is impatient because it will be dark soon.

Goodbye, little corner of paradise!

Since our last adventure, the unlikely couple Charlotte the Marmot and Gaston the Hawk, which is so inseparable, keeps flying over this amazing region, discovering lovely spots.

Today, we have hiked down Val d’Entremont and we have diverted on the left to traverse the combe of Martigny towards some peaks. The wind is just enough strong to let us fly easily. Below us, the green meadows are well kept, but the forests give a wilderness character and make attractive the entire spot and its fauna.

The scene is so much enjoyable that we lost track of time and the dusk is more widespread than expected in this valley. We decide to go on, hoping to find a shortcut for our return. However, our hope is brief, as on the col, Gaston winds up against a strong wind and he has to land. He decides to go alone on ahead to find the way home. He will return to find me, I promise.

I find myself in this unknown place and I am a little bit worried. I go towards the forest to find a resting-place. Suddenly, some raindrops draw my attention. At least I know that I will not run out of water. The meadows below are certainly so green for this reason. Please Charlotte, stay focused! Suddenly, I hear a repeated sound of bumps. As I go along the pathway, the sound becomes more intense. I have no choice but to hide myself in a makeshift hole, hoping that all is going to end and that I will be able to see Gaston again. After a troubled night, under the first rays of sunshine, I finally realize where I am.

A wooden hammer, activated by the creek water, hits continuously a board. If there was no water, there would not be bumps… it is a horn. I guess this little creek is very important for the villagers of this region!

Relieved, I go on and I finally get to a small house surrounded by many villagers, gazing at an ice mass: “It is unbelievable that this ice helped the Parisians in the 1930s to cool their drinks!” This region is full of surprises… Suddenly, I hear a yell in the air. Gaston is here, awesome!

We do a last little walk to remember these beautiful spots, before going back to our home, in Val Ferret. It is certain that our adventures will continue, marmot’s honour!  

Perched on a rocky promontory, Charlotte and her friend Gaston overhang the Col de la Gueulaz.

A crowd has made an appointment here.

Cyclists, hikers, meddlers of all kinds share a moment together, the first revelling in their efforts made, the second getting ready for the next efforts and the last standing mouths agape in front of that awesome view. During her adventure in Trient, Charlotte flew over the lake of Emosson and she could enjoy their beauties: “If heaven exists, it is definitively here!” She does not know where to look, with all these light blue lakes, these rocks, and these green areas.

- Gaston, I would like to fly over this landscape, just to enjoy again this beautiful place before coming back home.

Gaston does not need to hear again the wish of Charlotte, and he takes off with Charlotte on the back. Moving his powerful wings, the couple coasts on the lake of Emosson, nearby the peaks of Bel Oiseau. The bird of prey finds out in the middle of the water a sort of snake linking the two banks. He already knows that there are monsters living in certain lakes and he wonders if one of them lives there. He gets close to be surer: “Silly of me, it is not a snake, it is a wall!”, telling it while Charlotte sneaks up on him.

- Fantastic, we can play in the middle of the water without getting wet. This is a dream for a marmot that does not know how to swim!

- If I were you, I would pay attention to. It is hot, the snow melts and the water level is going to rise. Return on my back before it is too late.

Moving his wings, the couple takes off again. Just the time to take an unusual picture, that of a marmot walking miraculously on the water…

Gaston and Charlotte gain height and they reach soon the lake of Vieux-Emosson. It seems that millions and millions of years ago, some reptiles lived here and they were so heavy that they left some signs in the rocks, as Célestin the Ibex said it. “So, we are not the first feeling well in this place…”

However, time goes and it is already time to go home. Charlotte glances one last time at the landscape, with the thought that when the human and nature get together to create something new, the result is just marvellous.

Emosson, what a thrill!

Le printemps frappe à la porte. Le soleil se fait plus présent et la température augmente. Dans le terrier de Charlotte, on s’active à préparer la sortie au grand air après être resté emmitouflé dans la paille durant tout l’hiver. C’est le temps du nettoyage et de la remise en ordre, avec l’impatience de respirer enfin l’air pur. Dans un coin reculé du terrier, elle sent à travers sa fourrure un courant d’air frais à la fois agréable et troublant. Comment est-ce possible ? En se rapprochant de la paroi, elle repère un petit trou par lequel pénètre l’air. De nature curieuse, elle commence à gratter la terre avec ses griffes et à agrandir le trou. Après de longues minutes et un travail fatigant et douloureux, elle a creusé une large ouverture par laquelle elle s’engouffre. Elle se retrouve dans un large boyau de terre et de rocher, consolidé par des poutres. Serait-ce le repaire d’une bête géante ou l’œuvre d’un esprit maléfique ? Charlotte n’en mène pas large mais son instinct d’aventurière est plus fort que tout. Bravant sa peur, elle s’enfonce plus profondément dans la galerie sombre. Sur ses gardes et à l’affût du moindre bruit, elle parcourt une longue distance sans rien remarquer de spécial. Après avoir marché des heures et s’être perdue dans un véritable labyrinthe, Charlotte trouve enfin la sortie et l’air libre. Il faut se rendre à l’évidence, tout ça a l’air abandonné et personne n’y vit : ni bête géante, ni monstre maléfique. Heureusement !

Mais le plus important est maintenant de retrouver son terrier qu’elle a quitté depuis trop longtemps. Toute la famille doit être aux quatre cents coups ! Où aller ? A gauche, à droite, en haut, en bas ? Faisant confiance à son flair et à son esprit de déduction, Charlotte s’avance vers ce qu’elle pense être une clairière. Et surprise, une fois passée de l’autre côté de la crête, elle aperçoit l’entrée de son terrier qui ne se trouve qu’à une centaine de mètres. Elle pourra revenir facilement pour continuer son inspection.

Le lendemain, accompagnée de son fidèle compagnon Gaston l’aiglon, Charlotte se retrouve devant l’entrée de la grotte. Ça ressemble à s’y méprendre à un terrier de marmotte mais en beaucoup plus volumineux : l’entrée, le remblai de terre, le poste d’observation, même des trous alentours pour tromper l’ennemi… Charlotte n’imagine pas déménager dans des galeries aussi vastes, mais elle se dit qu’elles pourraient être un magnifique terrain de jeu pour sa famille…

Avec Charlotte, l’aventure est presque toujours à portée de main !