This was a day our wonderful younger daughter in Canberra would have really enjoyed. Apart, perhaps, from the weather. It rained all day, sometimes quite heavily.
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| Local amphibious creature enjoying the conditions |
We started early, leaving Vizille to cross the river and climb into the hills. We climbed up to Le Sapey, and from there to Le Désert, a resort village about 1000 metres higher than Vizille. The rain was particularly heavy for this first part of the day's walk.
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| Non-locals trying hard to enjoy the conditions |
After a few kilometres downhill from the deserted ski resort of La Morte, we had a lunch break at a picnic table in the small village of Moulin Vieux. We then set off to tackle the Plancol, a mountain pass at 1872 metres above sea level.
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| We coped with all obstacles in our path: here we are crossing a raging torrent. |
This was a very interesting walk. We had many streams to cross on the way. Some proved easier than others.
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| An easier way to cross the river |
There were no other major obstacles on the way up, but plenty of highlights. We saw a chamois and a beaver, and lots of colourful orchids. Unfortunately I didn't take many photos - I was more concerned with keeping the camera dry.
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| The rain kept up all day |
As we approached the Plancol the mist cleared a little and we caught glimpses of the wonderful Alpine scenery we had been hoping to see.
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| Approaching the Plancol - spectacular scenery amongst the mist |
The top of the Plancol seemed like a good place to celebrate, so we did.
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| Three wet Australians on the Plancol |
The descent off the Plancol towards the Col d'Ornon was quite eventful. The path took us along a cliff, through a snowdrift, and across another watercourse. There are no photos of these exploits - the official expedition photographer was trying to keep his equipment dry as he negotiated the cliff-side path, the snowdrift and the watercourse in the persistent rain.
Day: 43
Distance: 36.4 km
Walking time: 8hrs 30mins
Elevation gain: 1866 metres
Cumulative distance: 1100.21 km
Distance: 36.4 km
Walking time: 8hrs 30mins
Elevation gain: 1866 metres
Cumulative distance: 1100.21 km
Wow! A 36 km walk in 8 hours 30 minutes, with an ascent of 1866 m in the rain. That's a big day.
ReplyDeleteWe ourselves are fair weather friends of France.
We leave for France in two weeks.
Cheers
Keith and Jenny
It was a big day - we started at 6.23am and finished at 6.48pm. We would have preferred to do it without the rain too. Hope you get fine weather.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like lots of fun! Did you name the raging torrent you crossed?
ReplyDeleteWe thought you would have enjoyed it. We crossed too many raging torrents to name - we were just trying to get to the other side of them.
ReplyDelete