What a day! So glad we did the first section yesterday. The morning started with heavy rain which turned to thunder so we delayed our start.
The trek up to the Col de Bonhomme was very hard and extremely tiring. Don't know how I would have felt if we'd come from Les Contamines.
Weather began to brighten as we neared the top but the wind really picked up so we took refuge in the small wooden refuge hut on the saddle of Col du Bonhomme and donned mid-layer and hats. The hut is only the size of a small garden shed but was packed with people sheltering from the wind. We had some water and fruit and nut mix (we'd already eaten an energy bar on the way up).
The wind eased so we headed for the Croix du Col de Bonhomme another 100 meters above. This was easier though we lost our route at one stage following across rather than turning at one point. People following us signaled where we should go and it was so obvious when I looked back.
We caught up with them at the refuge du Croix de Bonhomme and I was able to thank them properly. Stopped for lunch at the refuge: hot chocolate, ham sandwich and plum flan and loo break. Then headed down to Chapieux.
Some of the slopes were very steep which was tough on the knees. No mobile signal so not able to phone ahead to book for the night.
A few showers of rain on the way down. Arrived at Auberge de la Nova just before torrential downpour and thunder storm which cut the power briefly. Arrived about 4 p.m. - not bad considering we had 2 stops.
No problem getting in to the dortoir which we are sharing with a Dutch family. Facilities seem fine. Cute little loo under the stairs which makes me think of the bathroom at Rannoch Station on the edge of Rannoch Moor in Scotland. Restaurant full of flies though!
All being well we cross into Italy tomorrow. Although it's a shorter day we still have a 1,000m climb to face .
The trek up to the Col de Bonhomme was very hard and extremely tiring. Don't know how I would have felt if we'd come from Les Contamines.
Weather began to brighten as we neared the top but the wind really picked up so we took refuge in the small wooden refuge hut on the saddle of Col du Bonhomme and donned mid-layer and hats. The hut is only the size of a small garden shed but was packed with people sheltering from the wind. We had some water and fruit and nut mix (we'd already eaten an energy bar on the way up).
The wind eased so we headed for the Croix du Col de Bonhomme another 100 meters above. This was easier though we lost our route at one stage following across rather than turning at one point. People following us signaled where we should go and it was so obvious when I looked back.
We caught up with them at the refuge du Croix de Bonhomme and I was able to thank them properly. Stopped for lunch at the refuge: hot chocolate, ham sandwich and plum flan and loo break. Then headed down to Chapieux.
Some of the slopes were very steep which was tough on the knees. No mobile signal so not able to phone ahead to book for the night.
A few showers of rain on the way down. Arrived at Auberge de la Nova just before torrential downpour and thunder storm which cut the power briefly. Arrived about 4 p.m. - not bad considering we had 2 stops.
No problem getting in to the dortoir which we are sharing with a Dutch family. Facilities seem fine. Cute little loo under the stairs which makes me think of the bathroom at Rannoch Station on the edge of Rannoch Moor in Scotland. Restaurant full of flies though!
All being well we cross into Italy tomorrow. Although it's a shorter day we still have a 1,000m climb to face .
Copyright © 2007-2008 F B Medhurst all rights reserved
About Us Donate Advertise Terms & Conditions Suppliers Gear Forum Index
Our 2007 TMB - Nant Borrant via Bomhomme to Les Chapieux
