Glorious blue skies greeted me as I drew the curtains at 730am and everyone was in a frenzy to eat breakfast, pack, pay and get going, whilst the snow was still frozen, and so easier to walk on!!
Five of us left together, to ensure each other's safety, as there were some steep icy mountainsides to traverse... none of us having any ice equipment with us!!
The sun was already hot, so I continued to wear my shorts (much to everyone's consternation) although I did wear my gaiters for the initial snow descent, and it worked well!!
Shortly after leaving the hospice at 920 am we came upon the Italian border crossing, not surprisingly it wasn't manned!!
A last look back up at the hospice:
and down we went, down ever steeper hillsides, some of which were quite treacherous, as they were over the top of rocks, and if anyone had slipped...oops !!
Anyway they didn't, and after almost two hours we came upon the Italian workers ploughing, digging and blowing the snow on the roadway, obviously getting ready for the opening of the pass in a couple of weeks time...
We found it easier now to make progress, although the steep road wasn't too kind on old knees and ankles!!
Lower down the valley the exit from the road tunnel appeared, and as I looked back it was hard to imagine I'd been up and over there just this morning!
We were soon into villages, Italian although very much still Alpine:
Across Alpine meadows through St Rhemy, Etroubles, and eventually my nights stop Echevennoz... Next to the hostel owners Trattoria, so hopefully good food also!!
It's been a long, exciting and challenging day, 20 kms walked, 1200 metres descended... And still 'Loving it!'
For now 'Ciao'!!
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