Sunday, June 21 - Day 3 - Refuge des Mottets to Courmayeur

This rainbow came out about an hour after we started the day and lasted about an hour

We had a restful night in our room at Refuge des Mottets; it was very quiet. In the morning we went for breakfast. This pastoral sight below greeted us as we walked across to the dining hall.

Still not doing well with the camera even after a good night of sleeping. The tables were partially set for breakfast. I added yogurt to the granola and yes, that's coffee (with lots of milk) in that big bowl.

 We talked with the guys from last night but we didn't linger over breakfast. We expected a long day and wanted to begin. Below is the building we stayed in and beyond is where we are headed.

The plan for the day was to hike to La Visaille (about 10.5 miles total for the day) and take a bus into Courmayer for the night. Then bus back in the morning and walk 7 miles back to Courmayer and spend a second night. We split up the hike because we figured 17 miles in one day was beyond our capability.

As we head back to our room to pick up our packs, see the trail zig zag to the right of the building 

  
As we began we could see a herd of sheep

and then we had a personal encounter. We yielded to the sheep crossing the trail - another "first" for us


Looking back at Refuge des Mottets. It was a former dairy farm. We had seen cattle being delivered in big trucks to the fields below and Stoney asked what that was about. The cows were being brought back to graze after the winter snows and would remain until early Fall when the snows would return.

Signs says 1 hour 20 minutes to the Col de Seigne; we did not know it would take us 2 hours and 30 minutes!

Within 30-45 minutes, it began to rain. Stoney don's his poncho and I attach my trekking umbrella to my pack.

 As we walked in the rain shower, we enjoyed this incredible rainbow

I could not stop taking pictures of the rainbow. We'd never seen one last for almost an hour.

 Yes, that's Stoney above facing the mountain. Quite a perspective.

This is Mark from the Netherlands; he's 18 years old. We met him our fist day out and we seem to be traveling about the same pace. After the little rain shower, I kept up my umbrella because I was sun burned on my face. He asked why I kept my umbrella open and then pulled out his sunblock and said "Asians don't need it." 


I was hoping that was the summit ahead --

That's Stoney; we MUST be getting close to the summit?

Taking a look back; we began our day way down in the little "V" in the center

My shadow and some flowers -- actually I needed an excuse to stop to breathe ....

 The summit ?

 YES!!!!  I can do this ....

After 2 hours and 30 minutes, we have arrived at the French-Italian border.

The Col de Seigne at 8,254 feet
 

Stoney and Mark check maps

Sweet relief for me at the Col de Seigne

Nick takes a closer look

 and we take our first steps in Italy

I turned around to snap a pic looking back up to the Italian French border and the Col de Seigne

Onward - what a view

The shoe company, Asics, was holding a race on the Tour du Mont Blanc. This guy passed us!

Nick stops to chat with a man headed the opposite direction

the Val Veni - a nice FLAT stretch

Guys who were filming the race carrying a drone and other camera equipment

Up ahead to the left is Rifugio Elisabetta

The trail continues straight ahead and that's Stoney looking on the left looking at the rest stop

We needed a break; we had been walking 4 hours but this was quite a steep climb

 It was probably about a 10 minute climb and the view of the glacier was so beautiful

The porch area - we're getting closer

 Poor baby - does he look happy to be sitting? I'm sure I looked worse. He refused to take a picture of me. We chatted with Mark as he ate a sandwich. I ordered Onion soup and split it with Nick - it was a huge bowl. We both had Cokes. We rested for 45 min. and then back out ...

The view from our window during lunch at Rifugio Elisabetta

Back out we continue on hoping to catch a bus from La Visaille to Courmayeur. Then it was our plan to bus back the next day and continue the walk into Courmayeur.

Looking back 

Snow that remains on June 21

We must have missed the turn for the town of La Visaille; we never saw a sign. We continued ahead for a couple of hours and walked on and eventually ended up on a dirt road under construction. We passed others out walking so we decided not to worry. However, the thought of walking the road all the way to Courmayeur was daunting. I thought maybe we could try to hitch hike if we ever came to a road that was paved. 

We finally came to curvy paved road along which cars were parked bumper to bumper on one side (I guess people were out walking). We were very tired. A young couple ahead of us a little ways looked to be going to their car. I had the thought to ask them if they were headed to Courmayeur and if so, would they give us a ride? They were Italian and didn't speak English but somehow we communicated and they graciously agreed to take us into Courmayeur. It was a long, winding road DOWN to Courmayeur. We were in the car about 20 minutes. I suppose it would have taken us another 2-3 hours of walking. We tried to give the young man some money but he kept refusing. We were insistent and he finally accepted. We were so grateful for his kindness.

They dropped us off here a few blocks from the center of the town. The picture below was taken on the day we left Courmayer. It was a sunny day when they gave us a ride.

 We walked around the town for about 30 minutes trying to find our way to the Hotel Bouton D'Or. Sweet relief! We did not know it at the time, but our room was the second balcony up in the middle. After 7 hours, we had arrived. It was a beautiful sight to see and beautiful inside.

 The door to our room - this hotel has been family run for many moons ...

 Earlier in the day I had twisted my ankle and it was swollen so I propped up my feet

See the lump. Stoney went out to find a little grocery store to buy a couple of soft drinks and cheese for a little snack. He loves to roam around little towns and discover. When he returned, we snacked, rested and showered. Then it was time to find the church for Saturday night Mass.

 That's Stoney in the blue shirt to the left - the church is ahead on the right

I did not take pictures inside the little church. It was a beautiful Mass.

 And after mass we had to have pizza for dinner

 Yes, that's Stoney's pizza and my beer

This is my pizza. We had a couple slices from each left over so we took them back to our room and had them for lunch the next day.

After dinner we walked around the town a little and then walked back to our hotel as night began to fall. We had no trouble sleeping. 

 "It is good to know that every end is also a beginning. The end of this long day is the first flickering light of a star. One by one, the stars will show their light, glow brightly, then fade into the light of the rising sun." A quote from Annie Whitehouse found in the book by Arlene Blume, Annapurna: A Woman's Place