Sunday, 11 July 2010

Day 4 – Verbier to Cabane de Louvie

 

Hot. What a shock. 35c in the valley, cooler at 2000m where most of day was spent.

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View back to Alp Bovine and Champex

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About an hour in, edge of the Grand Combins

Very tough day - climb from Verbier to Col de Termin was very variable conditions - and very tough. Crossed number of snowfields and scree slopes on the way - each about 200-300m across and about 25-30 degrees slope.

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Stunning view of the Grand Combins through the day - a different angle every 15 minutes brought a different take on their majesty and scale. The evolving view was a rich reward for the altitude and climb.

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Lost footing in the snow a few times, nothing major but snow much deeper than expected for the time of year - needs a few more weeks before it clears.

Made Col de Termin in quite poor time (~3hrs) and then a fast 1hr 20 nins down to Cabane de Louvie on a fast mountain path. Lovely walk alongside the cool lake and 17th century stone cattle barns. Cooled down quickly but heat is causing very high water consumption - 4-5litres per day.

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Cabane de Louvie very picturesque and a great view across to the Grand Combins. Very high standard - very clean dortoirs and good food - with generous portions. Useful endless water supplies (given the large lake, this was not surprising) - and all drinkable. Shower available.

 

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This is not the cabane but an emergency refuge…


Had a good chat with a Valais couple – who mistook my pronunciation of "Anglais" for "Hongrais" - Hungarian – which lead to a confusing conversation....

 

Views from by the Cabane:

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Distance: 12-14km of mountain path
Altitide gained: 1300m
Altitude lost: 700m
(note is a private cabane so no SAC discount)

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