TOUR DU MONT BLANC - 2007 - DAY 4

 JUNE 7

Today we continue our trek up the gradually rising Val Ferret.

Eringer Cows are bred specifically for bovine combat. The contest ends when one of the opponents manages to push the other outside of the designated area. There is a lot of pushing and shoving. The cows like to fight, it is in their blood. 

Issert  (1,055m/3,462ft) is one of the oldest villages in Switzerland. People have been living here since the 13th century.

                                       After Issert, the trail crosses several rocky slopes. In some places, steel chains help maintain the balance.

As we reach our destination for the day, in the secluded village of Le Fouly (1,610m/5,282ft), a deep valley to the right offers a breathtaking view of the Tour Noir (3,836m/12,585ft).

Hotel l'Edelweiss welcomes us with steins of cold beer. It is a rather short and easy day. The next day is much more difficult. We have to hike 20km/12.4miles, climb 1,000m/3,280ft to the Col de Ferret, descend 900m/2,953ft before climbing again another 400m/1,313ft at the end of this very long and tiring day.