Tour de Mont Blanc - Day 3
Day 3 - Friday 12 July
Walk from Les Contamines to Les Chapieux and transfer to Bourg Saint Maurice - 19kms - Base Camp Lodge
We off … a bit wet but not to bad. Jackets on today.
The day started out with rain. Jackets and covers on back packs were on and gloves in the packs. We raced up to the supermarket (Spa) to grab some pack covers and started the first part of our walk …..
A gentle start from Les Contamines for the first 5km along the valley floor to the chapel at Notre Dame de la Gorge (shuttle transfer possible which we didnt take).
Our walk very quickly turned upwards and climbed steadily on the Chemin Roman through the Contamines Montjoie Nature Reserve towards the distant Col du Bonhomme. “La Gorge” We met two English young guys who walked with us most of the way up and we had good chats.
Lunch time ….. just up the track from the protective sheep dog.
Half way up we met another “friend” a sheep dog. “Hey babe is that a sheep with a long tail?” Mikey couldn't work out if it was a sheep or a dog. It turned out to be a very protective dog that when realised that Mikey was looking at the sheep he started stalking Mikey. He went down on all fours ready to pounce. “Turn your back babe and keep walking!” It was rather terrifying. Luckily there was an electric fence in the way to prevent him from jumping. We could hear him all the way up the valley.
Our climb revealed increasingly rugged views of the high peaks and we quickly reached the rugged landscapes of the Col du Bonhomme (2329 m). It was bloody epic! Walking across snow and I used poles this day because of it being so slippery. At times it looked like a pilgrimage across the snow.
Walking sticks out.
A further hour on rough and rocky ground brings up the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme, from here descending to Les Chapieux.
Got to the top Col du Bonhomme 2329m (30) what a misssssion. But wow oh wow we just conquered a mountain in the rain and snow.
The refuge on the mountain was not very inviting there were people everywhere. Tucked into a valley all we wanted was a well earnt beer but we were asked very abruptly (in a french way) to take our shoes off and we were not allowed to sit in the restaurant but asked to stay out the front. People (other hikers) were being told to GO and have a shower. We flagged that and thanked our lucky stars we were not staying there. So we went to the little shop that had EVERYTHING for a mountain shop and bought a beer and sat outside under an umbrella until we were picked up to be taken to Bourg Saint Maurice - Base Camp. Grabbed a roadie but were not allowed in the taxi so it was a quick scull or tip out and on our way we went.
Base Camp Lodge - We took a taxi off the mountain to Bourg-Saint-Maurice village where we met the 4 brits - Catherine, Rob, RIchard and Connie. We spent a very quiet night in a dorm with them. Fennel tea all around. Epic brekky with a few extras for lunch hehehehehe. Salt and pepper was needed for our sambos on the walk.
Base Camp Lodge - In the heart of Bourg-Saint-Maurice village the Base Camp Lodge was welcoming and very modern and clean. A typical hostel that was perfect for us adventurous spirits. They had live music and we sat in a booth and had pizza (well R&R did) we had ceasar salads of course.
Thoughts of the day:
● cold but fun
● snow
● Quick trip to Spas (supermarket) for black bin liners for bag covers
● true adventure of climbing a mountain
● carrots, cucumber, sandwich made on the run
● leggings today
● everyone slow walking across the rocks and snow but we found a pass route
● views - no words to explain so we will commit this to memory
● pineapples are go
● wine or water
● Les Chambres de Soleil restaurant bar hotel which way?????
