Haute Route: Day 2
The second day of the Haute Route is moderate by HR standards; 7.5 miles and 3000' each of ascent and descent. Mrs R opted to avoid most of the ascent by taking the tram up to Col de Balme (7000' altitude); Becky hiked up the first half with me and then took the $1 tram up the second half. I met them at the cafe on the top where we enjoyed marvelous views (and tiny little coca-colas for $2 each) before descending from France into Switzerland and the town of Trient. It was the first day in which my lovely companions learned that going downhill is much harder on the body than going uphill!

This was our first night (of many) on the route in which we had no reservations, but not to worry. There were plenty of room at the inn (the ONLY inn in Trient). Here's a pic from the top, looking back; and the beginning of the long descent toward Trient.

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