johnsunter.com >> outdoor >> mountains >> tour de mont blanc 2
The 2 intrepid adventurers are back to do the TMB in the Swiss, French and Italian Alps (2/2).
After an awful night in one of the huts (Frank was snoring, but had earplugs in, so he couldn't hear it, but the 50 other people we were lay next to could !).
Enough about that, we got up early, the sun was shining, and we began walking into Italy.
As we crossed the "border" (there was only a sign, no guards, or diplomats, or anything like that)
We descended down the side of a hill, and you could hear a glacier breaking up, across the valley. One of the most beautiful sites I have ever seen.
Me pausing on the trail in Italy.
The new Rifugio Elena.
The view from the balcony was beautiful, and we sat out all afternoon, drinking beer. We decided to get an on-suite room as "communal living", wasn't really us.
The previous refuge here was destroyed by avalanche, and the new one is half-buried in the hillside.
Off all the places we passed on our travels, I thought that Italy was the most inspiring.
Around my neck I am wearing a perry whistle and a mini torch on some "Para" cord.
In Raiders of the lost Ark, you see Indiana Jones, put a hat, a gun, and a bull whip into his suitcase and you know the adventure has begun.
When I put on my whistle and torch, I feel the same!
We cross into Switzerland, and pause for a photograph, a drink and a sit down.
Crossing a bridge in Switzerland. The water was a lot cleaner than the stuff in Chamonix.
We arrive in Champex exhausted.
Because we decided to do the TMB in 7 days, we were walking 2 suggested legs each day, rather than 1, and most of the time arrived after 7pm, when all of the cheap accommodation was gone
It turned out to be a blessing this time, as there were only rooms available in the most expensive hotel, and it was like a picture postcard.
Frank sits on the Balcony, and has a Beer, while I have a shower.
We sat out on the balcony all evening (it overlooked the town and the lake).
Having completed the walk, we have a celebration drinking session, back in Chamonix.
