Trail to Morne de Vitet?

[Daniel]

Hello,
Does anyone know how to climb Morne de Vitet without a guide?
If there is any trail, where does it start?

Best regards
Daniel
Madison, AL

 

[cassidain]

This topic has come up in the past, and I have studied the France IGN topo map looking for the trail. It seems like it was said that, among other possible concerns, the way up passes thru private properties and that a guide is essential.
Others may have better personal experience to convey.
Eagerly await a report if you make it up

 

[cassidain]

 

[Daniel]

View attachment 67129

Thank you, I tried to use the same map at no avail two years ago. Going to St Barts once again in 2 weeks.

 

[cassidain]

bonne chance !

 

[cec1]

View attachment 67129

About 25 years ago, I hiked (more like a healthy walk . . . as I recall, I was in flip flops!) to the top from Restaurant Trois Forces, under putative guidance of its chef/proprietor, Hubert Delamotte. With us was then-head of the Bureau of Tourism (& subsequently a co-author of “Case et Cuisine”), Elise Magras . . . a forever-dear friend from CA (who now, unfortunately, deals with Parkinson’s disease) . . . and Hubert’s youngest son — sweet, blonde-haired Apollon, who then was about 5 years old. I have no ability to describe the route, except that it clearly went through Devet . . . and quite memorably, I don’t think that I would have made it but for the awesome energy of this beautiful young child who ran ahead, scouting the trail . . . periodically galloping to return to the rest of us — circling around & herding us like he were a sheep dog! Wearing shorts, I clearly recall a lot of scratches on my legs & mosquito bites. Reaching the peak, however, we all cheered . . . Apollon enthusiastically & excitedly feeling victorious in successfully guiding his troupe of adults to a conclusion!

Returning to “Trois Forces,” Hubert prepared a delicious, gourmet, celebratory luncheon, at which I took a number of photos (it was in my period of photographically chronicling island culture, habitats, & lifestyles). Though Trois Forces no longer serves the public as a hotel / restaurant, the area that was a bit of a lounge for the restaurant survives . . . as does a framed photo there from my “work” on that day.

Clearly, I hold a wonderful memory (perhaps “nostalgic,” as JEK would say) of my ascent to the top of Morne de Vitet. Thanks for allowing me to share it.

 

[amyb]

About 25 years ago, I hiked (more like a healthy walk . . . as I recall, I was in flip flops!) to the top from Restaurant Trois Forces, under putative guidance of its chef/proprietor, Hubert Delamotte. With us was then-head of the Bureau of Tourism (& subsequently a co-author of “Case et Cuisine”), Elise Magras . . . a forever-dear friend from CA (who now, unfortunately, deals with Parkinson’s disease) . . . and Hubert’s youngest son — sweet, blonde-haired Apollon, who then was about 5 years old. I have no ability to describe the route, except that it clearly went through Devet . . . and quite memorably, I don’t think that I would have made it but for the awesome energy of this beautiful young child who ran ahead, scouting the trail . . . periodically galloping to return to the rest of us — circling around & herding us like he were a sheep dog! Wearing shorts, I clearly recall a lot of scratches on my legs & mosquito bites. Reaching the peak, however, we all cheered . . . Apollon enthusiastically & excitedly feeling victorious in successfully guiding his troupe of adults to a conclusion!

Returning to “Trois Forces,” Hubert prepared a delicious, gourmet, celebratory luncheon, at which I took a number of photos (it was in my period of photographically chronicling island culture, habitats, & lifestyles). Though Trois Forces no longer serves the public as a hotel / restaurant, the area that was a bit of a lounge for the restaurant survives . . . as does a framed photo there from my “work” on that day.

Clearly, I hold a wonderful memory (perhaps “nostalgic,” as JEK would say) of my ascent to the top of Morne de Vitet. Thanks for allowing me to share it.

Thank you again for a wonderful story about St Barth's life and the joys of exploring the land and making friends.

 

[Jeanette]

Dennis, you are a gifted and enchanting storyteller. Perhaps there is another book in your future or a blog on island life?

 

[JEK]

. . . . blog on island life?

Isn't he doing that now?

 

[elgreaux]

Considering that someone recently had a very bad fall and had to be rescued by helicopter from such a walk, I am not sure I would go without a trusted guide...

 

[Jeanette]

Isn't he doing that now?

Right you are... And I love every post.

 

[cec1]

Right you are... And I love every post.

Merci, Jeanette! I appreciate being part of the SBH Online Forum & don’t intend it to be a personal blog . . . sorry if it seems that way at times. In my enthusiasm of being a part of St. Barths for 45+ years, I guess I find a lot of pleasure in sharing with other loyal followers of the Forum things that I see, hear, & remember which might be of interest to the team.

For example . . . briefly returning late this afternoon from the far reach of Colombier (seeing a wonderful seamstress out there), I briefly stopped at La Pigeonnière, the former bar / trés mini-market of a late, very dear friend, Jean Magras, I found what may be the best “deal” on the island today — Ti Punch Vieux for 3.25E ! The bar has been very slightly updated since “Jean” days, but a framed photo that I took of him some 30 years ago still affectionately hangs over the bar.

A quick story about Jean (warning, “nostalgia“ coming . . . you may want to switch to a different channel!): In Jean’s “day,” the bar area had a large window at its end which opened onto a very small outdoor space where “locals” (a/k/a “the boys”) congregated — quite crowded together — for refreshments as they got off work around 5:30 - 6. Almost uniformly, they were laborers of one sort of another . . . and all smoked like chimneys, which is why, I think, Jean kept them outside. One evening, while swapping stories & humor with Jean, inside the bar, I said, “Jean, when do you close?” His reply forever sticks in my mind: “When the boys have had enough to drink!”

As the St. Tropez-ization of SBH occurs, interactions like this one are becoming more rare. Historic perspective is fading quickly, sadly.

 

[Cwater]

Merci, Jeanette! I appreciate being part of the SBH Online Forum & don’t intend it to be a personal blog . . . sorry if it seems that way at times. In my enthusiasm of being a part of St. Barths for 45+ years, I guess I find a lot of pleasure in sharing with other loyal followers of the Forum things that I see, hear, & remember which might be of interest to the team.

For example . . . briefly returning late this afternoon from the far reach of Colombier (seeing a wonderful seamstress out there), I briefly stopped at La Pigeonnière, the former bar / trés mini-market of a late, very dear friend, Jean Magras, I found what may be the best “deal” on the island today — Ti Punch Vieux for 3.25E ! The bar has been very slightly updated since “Jean” days, but a framed photo that I took of him some 30 years ago still affectionately hangs over the bar.

A quick story about Jean (warning, “nostalgia“ coming . . . you may want to switch to a different channel!): In Jean’s “day,” the bar area had a large window at its end which opened onto a very small outdoor space where “locals” (a/k/a “the boys”) congregated — quite crowded together — for refreshments as they got off work around 5:30 - 6. Almost uniformly, they were laborers of one sort of another . . . and all smoked like chimneys, which is why, I think, Jean kept them outside. One evening, while swapping stories & humor with Jean, inside the bar, I said, “Jean, when do you close?” His reply forever sticks in my mind: “When the boys have had enough to drink!”

As the St. Tropez-ization of SBH occurs, interactions like this one are becoming more rare. Historic perspective is fading quickly, sadly.

Thank you for keeping historical perspective alive. Wonder if there should be a link on this site for historical perspectives?

 

[JEK]

Merci, Jeanette! I appreciate being part of the SBH Online Forum & don’t intend it to be a personal blog . . . sorry if it seems that way at times. In my enthusiasm of being a part of St. Barths for 45+ years, I guess I find a lot of pleasure in sharing with other loyal followers of the Forum things that I see, hear, & remember which might be of interest to the team.

For example . . . briefly returning late this afternoon from the far reach of Colombier (seeing a wonderful seamstress out there), I briefly stopped at La Pigeonnière, the former bar / trés mini-market of a late, very dear friend, Jean Magras, I found what may be the best “deal” on the island today — Ti Punch Vieux for 3.25E ! The bar has been very slightly updated since “Jean” days, but a framed photo that I took of him some 30 years ago still affectionately hangs over the bar.

A quick story about Jean (warning, “nostalgia“ coming . . . you may want to switch to a different channel!): In Jean’s “day,” the bar area had a large window at its end which opened onto a very small outdoor space where “locals” (a/k/a “the boys”) congregated — quite crowded together — for refreshments as they got off work around 5:30 - 6. Almost uniformly, they were laborers of one sort of another . . . and all smoked like chimneys, which is why, I think, Jean kept them outside. One evening, while swapping stories & humor with Jean, inside the bar, I said, “Jean, when do you close?” His reply forever sticks in my mind: “When the boys have had enough to drink!”

As the St. Tropez-ization of SBH occurs, interactions like this one are becoming more rare. Historic perspective is fading quickly, sadly.

That story deserves some photos!

 

[KevinS]

For historical reasons, La Pigeonnière remains on my Resto list as a local bar/convenience store. Somewhere in my unorganized photo files I have a similar photo of Jean Magras,

Perhaps one day someone will explore the significance of the blue plaid shirts which he and Marius often wore.

 

[amyb]

Great portrait/photo.
Jean looks an awful lot like the island's former Senator to France, Michel Magras. IMHO.

 

[Hawke]

About 25 years ago, I hiked (more like a healthy walk . . . as I recall, I was in flip flops!) to the top from Restaurant Trois Forces, under putative guidance of its chef/proprietor, Hubert Delamotte. With us was then-head of the Bureau of Tourism (& subsequently a co-author of “Case et Cuisine”), Elise Magras . . . a forever-dear friend from CA (who now, unfortunately, deals with Parkinson’s disease) . . . and Hubert’s youngest son — sweet, blonde-haired Apollon, who then was about 5 years old. I have no ability to describe the route, except that it clearly went through Devet . . . and quite memorably, I don’t think that I would have made it but for the awesome energy of this beautiful young child who ran ahead, scouting the trail . . . periodically galloping to return to the rest of us — circling around & herding us like he were a sheep dog! Wearing shorts, I clearly recall a lot of scratches on my legs & mosquito bites. Reaching the peak, however, we all cheered . . . Apollon enthusiastically & excitedly feeling victorious in successfully guiding his troupe of adults to a conclusion!

Returning to “Trois Forces,” Hubert prepared a delicious, gourmet, celebratory luncheon, at which I took a number of photos (it was in my period of photographically chronicling island culture, habitats, & lifestyles). Though Trois Forces no longer serves the public as a hotel / restaurant, the area that was a bit of a lounge for the restaurant survives . . . as does a framed photo there from my “work” on that day.

Clearly, I hold a wonderful memory (perhaps “nostalgic,” as JEK would say) of my ascent to the top of Morne de Vitet. Thanks for allowing me to share it.

bonne chance !

There is always hope. 30 some odd years ago; my general practitioner diagnosed that I had Parkinson's. Never progressed. About 10 years ago I went to a new doctor who told me I didn't have Parkinsons. I never thought much about it because I had a landscape construction business on Nantucket working every day and while also running 5 marathons. Still nice that I didn't have Parkinsons.

 

[amyb]

There is always hope. 30 some odd years ago; my general practitioner diagnosed that I had Parkinson's. Never progressed. About 10 years ago I went to a new doctor who told me I didn't have Parkinsons. I never thought much about it because I had a landscape construction business on Nantucket working every day and while also running 5 marathons. Still nice that I didn't have Parkinsons.

So much to be thankful for, Hawke.