Day 10 Argentiere to Chamonix

 Well, with the ‘big day’ done we were expecting a lighter day with a triumphal march into Chamonix.

But ‘Non’, our last day would be another almost 1000 metres up and thirteen kilometers!  The morning started well with a healthy breakfast with a fair variety.  Even the coffee was acceptable.  Followed by, the now usual ie bags down stairs, boots on and walking poles at the ready.  As a treat, we had a transfer (car ride) to the start point.  It was only 10-15 minutes but it was some ‘up’ that we didn’t have to walk.

The intrepid trekkers were feeling confident and spirits were high.  We all wore our ‘Trekked TMB’ T-shirts.  We eventually stepped off onto a jagged rock path that switched-back several times.  Then after 30 minutes, came the ominous words from our guide… “and now, up!”.  

Just some of the ‘up’.

And so it was: up and up and up.  The path was littered with sharp, angular, loose rocks. This required a bit more caution than usual.  Even after the 20+km, the legs were still doing their job and good boots were appreciated as they protected our feet.  There were even more treats to be had: timber steps (most of which were secured but not all); and a metal ladder.  We are so, so lucky!!

The timber steps and and a pair of good looking calves!

The steel ladder.  There was traffic both ways.  Just to add a little more challenge.

Karen demonstrates ‘ladder climbing, with confidence’.

Eventually, we made it to the Refuge which was our ‘up goal’.  There were a lot more people on the path because it was a beautiful Sunday and they thought they would pop up the mountain.  There was even a priest delivering a service!  There was a lovely sprinkling of snow/ice, around the refuge, and part of the lake was still frozen.  The refuge was also the goal of many day-trippers from Chamonix.  So the prices were inflated.  You even had to pay for water and to go to the toilet!

The lake!  With frozen bit.

A poor attempt at a snow angel!  The ice was bloody cold but oddly refreshing.  More like a fallen para-sailor.

 

We had another picnic lunch at the refuge.  Yes, it was a baguette with ham, cheese and lettuce. We also had some fruit.  After lunch, we were suitably re-energised for the downhill.  Unsurprisingly, it closely resembled the uphill except we were going in a different direction.

We did have an option for a variation on the downhill: we could walk down 750m or we could walk down 350m nd catch a chairlift for the balance.  Our guide pointed out that the extra downhill was boring and that 80% of trekkers catch the chairlift.  We decided 80% of people choose wisely.  Therefore the chairlift was the ‘go’.  A fistful of Euros well spent.

Karen enjoying a well deserved chairlift ride.

After the ride downhill, we had a pleasant 2km stroll into Chamonix.  We walked in the shade, alongside a fast flowing mountain stream.  The time passed by so easily and then….

It was done!  We were finished our trek of 150+ km (horizontal), with 10+km (vertical).  We had crossed three mountain passes that were higher than Mt Kosciusko and a forth that was a couple of metres short. We had been in three different countries and more three course dinners than we should.  It felt like we had eaten our body-weight in baguettes.  Oh, we might have had a glass of wine or two.

The culminating moment, we had bought the T-shirt!

The back of our t-shirts.

The Mont Blanc Massif in all its glory!

The ‘last supper’ was one of our finest meals.  The water, for the table, was slow to appear and the food was even slower.  But the food was worth waiting for.  Farewells were said and group of trekkers began their journeys home or onto their next adventures.  For us, it is off to Geneva and then onto Munich.