Time: about 8hrs / distance:20km / Altitude gained: 1000m / Altitude lost: 1000m
Long first day; too long in hindsight as a gentle build up – we still haven’t got our mountain legs!
Border of Switzerland and France at Col de Balme (2199m). Made blinding time, about 3hrs for the first 900metres of climb. Nice omelette at the top to fuel us…
To many options: fortunately we know the route…
Into Switzerland and skirting around the contours at about 2000m. Late snow – as we feared might be the case. Crossed six or seven snowfields in all – no time for a snowball fight though! The traverses on the steeper sections are ok –despite the angle – they lead quickly into a shallower slope in case of fall. Only ego would be bruised.
We followed around to the Glacier view. Glacier de Trient, with the path to the Fenetre d’Arpette in the distance. Long slog around from here, really hard path with large boulders and chained sections. Not difficult, just demands a lot of attention; no time to relax ad seems to go on forever.
Switzerland meets Tolkein:
Arrived at Col de la Forclas; basic hotel.
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