Tour de Mont Blanc - Day 8

17 Jul

Day 8 Wednesday 17 July

Walk from Champex to Trient 15kms

Walk 1 - Champex to Trient via Alp Bovine 17.5km, 5:45 Hours, Ascent/Descent: 768m/946m (3520 ft / 3105 ft)

Walk 2 - Champex to Trient via Fenêtre d’Arpette - Optional High Route Variant: 15km, 6:45 Hours Ascent/Descent: 1199m/1388m (3935 ft / 4555 ft)

The official route goes via Alp Bovine, a splendid walk through pine and larch forests interspersed with alpine meadows and wonderful views down the Rhône Valley. Whichever route you choose you will end the day by descending right to the valley floor to the small village of Trient.

Mikey and I set off from Champex to Trient via the Fenêtre d’Arpette which was the optional high route variant and not for the faint hearted. We were told that was one of the most extreme routes on the TMB but we took the challenge. The alternatively was very demanding variant that went via the spectacular Fenêtre d’Arpette to the Trient Valley. Our climb was to 2665m challenging and exposed route but worth every step.

We decided not to take our spikes even though there was much discussion if we should or should not take them.

We meandered by gorgeous water falls and walked through some of the most beautiful damp forest. It was so divine just the two of us with our baguette attached to the side of my bag ready for lunch at the first place that presented itself.

Steady climb in the valley surrounded by mountains then came the rock. It got very very steep towards the end where hiker or climbers had to navigate the best and safest way up for them. Mikey and I went straight up through the middle.

We found a flat rock and had a lunch of baguette, pickles, salad and tuna - everything we grabbed from the supermarket the day before. We sat and watched (some Irish) try and go up the climb ….. come back down and try again.

We descended in to Trient had beers on the lawn, stretched and relaxed for the evening.

Dinner was at 7pm like most places but was done and dusted in 45 mins. I've never seen anything so military like this feed over 100 people in that small amount of time.. Soup, spaghetti bolognese using penne, gross chocolate something for dessert - I gave mine to River.

Hotel La Grande Ourse - Trient - Switzerland - Simple yet modern mountain accommodation. We shared a dorm room with 4 others and had a snorer right next to us. We stayed in bunks with black out curtains. Mikey jumped down at 4am in the morning and had to wake the snorer by shaking their legs. mmmmmm so assertive.