Haute Route: Mont Fort to Cabane de Prafleuri
08/23/07 10:04 AM *Adventure
Friday July 20th was a very "trisky" but fascinating
high country hike. We saw two ibex and three chamois;
hiked across scree and boulders and snow and a tricky
river crossing (due to getting off course). The snow
crossings were steep with unpleasant consequences
should one fall but the snow was soft and we made it
safely. At times though, I did wonder, "what have I
gotten us into?". We hiked past the Grand Combin and
had many great vistas on a day with lots of warm sun
and a fair share of cold rain with thunder. The
weather changes dramatically and rapidly in the Alps.
But everyone was in a good mood. Then, near the bottom of the last descent, I caught my foot on something and fell. Trying not to fall forward down a semi-steep muddy and rocky path with my big backpack I rolled left and managed to fall with no damage except...
Somehow, while falling, I tore something in my shoulder. Immediate and searing pain. I could barely move my left arm and that only with great pain. Fortunately we were only hiking and not mountain climbing so I could get by without one arm!
As soon as we got to the hut a huge storm hit and lasted most of the evening. Cabane de Prafleuri was unimpressive in itself but for one thing: dinner was all you can eat! After eight hours of hard hiking, that's no insignificant blessing.
But everyone was in a good mood. Then, near the bottom of the last descent, I caught my foot on something and fell. Trying not to fall forward down a semi-steep muddy and rocky path with my big backpack I rolled left and managed to fall with no damage except...
Somehow, while falling, I tore something in my shoulder. Immediate and searing pain. I could barely move my left arm and that only with great pain. Fortunately we were only hiking and not mountain climbing so I could get by without one arm!
As soon as we got to the hut a huge storm hit and lasted most of the evening. Cabane de Prafleuri was unimpressive in itself but for one thing: dinner was all you can eat! After eight hours of hard hiking, that's no insignificant blessing.
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