Wednesday, September 5th
We had a record early start out of Elisabetta at 7:34 am. It
was cool in the valley’s shade and we had a long
downhill – first steep, and then walking along the streams that fed into the moraine-dammed Lac Combal. Today could be called the
Day of Reflections - beginning with the reflection of the alps in the valley waters.
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| Reflection of the Aiguille Noire de Peuterey from the Vallon de la Lee Blanche |
We could have continued following the valley all the way down to Courmayeur but we chose the more scenic option of hiking up onto an undulating shoulder where we have views of this majestic mountain range all day long. Along with a hint to not get too close to the edge.
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| Clear advice to keep all body parts on the trail |
As got closer to the ski areas outside of Courmayeur, there was a series of art installations including some giant mirrors that reflected the
mountains across the valley.
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| Sue, Colleen and Nancy reflected with the mountain |
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| My kind of selfie |
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There was also a kitchen window frame and some carved wood used as sighting lines to see specific peaks. It was really fun to explore all the art!
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| Window from Heidi's cabin? |
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| Sue looking at the peaks |
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We stopped for coffee at a ski lodge and got to dance
some rock n’ roll with the server before we headed down the most continuous steep path I think I've ever been on. We would have gladly taken a gondola ride down if one had been operating in our vicinity...
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| The long way down to Courmayeur, Italy |
Thankfully our Hotel Ottoz Meuble was
close to where our trail entered town and we got there in time to take showers,
and wash our clothes, hanging them out to dry in the sun on the patio before we
went into town for more euros and dinner.
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| Drying clothes in the last rays of the sun |
Before eating, we toured the town cemetery for another kind of reflection. Many of the wall sites and the more regular gravesites we are familiar with had photos of the people in the graves. There were also memorial sites honoring some alpinists that had passed away in the area, even if they were from other countries. It was very moving.
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| The beautiful cemetery in Courmayeur |
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We found a good pizza place and Sue
thought she ordered her usual 500 ml beer but it turned out to be a full liter!
Nancy helped her out and with teamwork it was put away!
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| Sue was happy to get help with her giant beer! |
Sue and I slept upstairs in the loft in our hotel room and had to
duck constantly so we didn’t hit our heads. The showers were warm and we now had clean clothes. It was an overall
great day with stupendous views.
Day 5 Summary: Rifugio Elisabetta to town of Courmayeur (Italy); 9.22 mi/14.8 km; 1542’
/470 m up; 4707’/1435 m down, 7:35 hrs on trail
