Haute Route: Prafleuri to Arolla
08/24/07 12:05 AM *Adventure
What a day!!!
It began by climbing up a small col. From there we saw beautiful Lac des Dix (Lake Dix), though it was initialy covered by some beautiful clouds; from the col we could see the next four hours of our route; had a close encounter with chamois (see pics); followed by a long hard climb, then a brief descent to Cabane des Dix; across a glacier and up a steep pile of boulders to a narrow trail with big drop-offs.
From there we climbed a 70' ladder to the top of the cliff (a bit tricky with a backpack and a bum shoulder as well as being psychologically intimidating); then the long, long descent to Arolla (sensory overload with the extravagant profusion of wildflowers and the sound of glacial ice cracking loudly). There we found our best lodging yet at a great price (they were even playing contemporary worship music over the sound system in the restaurant- in French!).
Again there were times this fine Saturday in July when I wondered, "What have I got us into?" Mrs R had a tough day (hangover from yesterday's tough hike) but she pushed herself really hard and made it. But the story is best told in pictures...
(Too many picks for one entry - continued below)
It began by climbing up a small col. From there we saw beautiful Lac des Dix (Lake Dix), though it was initialy covered by some beautiful clouds; from the col we could see the next four hours of our route; had a close encounter with chamois (see pics); followed by a long hard climb, then a brief descent to Cabane des Dix; across a glacier and up a steep pile of boulders to a narrow trail with big drop-offs.
From there we climbed a 70' ladder to the top of the cliff (a bit tricky with a backpack and a bum shoulder as well as being psychologically intimidating); then the long, long descent to Arolla (sensory overload with the extravagant profusion of wildflowers and the sound of glacial ice cracking loudly). There we found our best lodging yet at a great price (they were even playing contemporary worship music over the sound system in the restaurant- in French!).
Again there were times this fine Saturday in July when I wondered, "What have I got us into?" Mrs R had a tough day (hangover from yesterday's tough hike) but she pushed herself really hard and made it. But the story is best told in pictures...
(Too many picks for one entry - continued below)
|
