Nicolas Lorin

At the end of last August, five of us completed the Tour du Mont Blanc: my girlfriend, my brother, my sister and her boyfriend, and myself. It was our first multi-day trek in full autonomy, carrying tents and a stove. The classic TMB route crosses three countries—France, Italy, and Switzerland—around the Mont Blanc massif, covering about 170 km.

After our great snowshoeing trip to the Nant du Beurre last year, we were keen to do another one, but this time we wanted something a bit easier, without having to spend the night in a refuge. The Plateau des Glières was the obvious choice: a wild setting steeped in history, stunning views of the Aravis, and the promise of a good mountain meal at the end of the day.

My girlfriend, originally from Bangalore, India, invited me to discover her country for the first time. We planned an itinerary covering both South and North India, visiting cities like Bangalore, Mysore, Hampi, Delhi, and Agra.

Whether for a short walk in the forest or a multi-day trek in the mountains, having a good mapping application on your phone has become essential. Gone are the days of getting lost with a water-damaged map! Over the years, I have tested many applications, and three of them have caught my attention for their reliability and features dedicated to hiking.

My little brother Michel was on an M2 internship in Gothenburg, so my mother and I decided to visit him. We chose a week in late May, early June to take advantage of the Swedish spring.