Haute Route - Hiking From Trient to Fenetre d’ Arpette to Champex to Le Chable

When I awoke the entire room was still fast asleep. After a quick breakfast I headed out the door by 6:45 am. Luckily, I had no problem finding the trail. I walked in almost total solitude with no one out the door before me.

Given my light load, I was making fast progress. If I was lucky I could climb the 1,400m/ 4,600’ in time to hit the pass as the early morning light illuminated the glacier. As I rose, the glacier was increasingly lit up by the sun.

Luckily the trail was marked clearly and I made steady progress to the pass. When I reached it I was the only one there, a reward for my early start. I plopped down for a bit for a break and took in the solitary view.

While descending the wildflowers were phenomenal in their individual splendor, their variety and their numbers. Perhaps they should call this “La Route Fleur.”

I met back up with Jennifer and then headed out for my second double in two days. The trail was supposed to take us through “Working Switzerland.” While the book tried to make it sound appealing, it could only be enjoyable to an urban planner or a person in need of an easy day.

The story continues..