TOUR DU MONT BLANC - 2007 - DAY 8

 JUNE 11

Today is going to be the longest day. We have to cover 23 kilometers. After a day of rest, it should not be too difficult.

The weather is perfect when early morning we are back on the trail.

Far on the horizon we can see Col de la Seigne (2,516m) a half-way point of today's trek. Aiguille des Glaciers (3,816m) is to the right of the Col, but only the lower part of the mountain is visible at this moment.

                                  An old avalanche partially blocks the trail. It will stay like that well into the summer.

Higher up we cross the meadows covered with alpine anemones.

A fat marmot is barely visible among the same colour rocks. I wonder if he has selected this place because of that.

                                        Refuge Elisabetta Soldini (2,195m) is not yet open. No chance for a cold beer. But the view is fantastic.

I am not quite sure if these old buildings are still used by the local shepherds.

We reach the Col de la Seigne early afternoon with plenty of time for late lunch and rest before the final descend to Les Chapieux.

The beautiful weather, that has stayed with us since the beginning, is finally breaking.

We have to cross a few streams and walk the final hour in a rain before reaching Auberge de la Nova in Les Chapieux (1,549n). We are back in France.