Day 8 - July 5, 2024 (Switzerland-France, to Chalet Alpin du Tour; 6 km, +900 m, -600 m)

The morning was spent going up, up, and up - 900 m, our longest one-day and single stretch ascent, which is like walking up the CN Tower twice in a row! It was steeper and forested at the outset, then more gradual, sunny and hot (25 Celsius), but with a cool breeze. I was lagging behind very slow as we neared the summit of the Col de Balme mountain pass (the border between Switzerland and France), questioning why I had chosen this as my 50th birthday wish, but I made it, and it was worth it.  

We picnicked on the grass at the summit, by the border between Switzerland and France, looking back over our path from Switzerland, and the Refuge du Col de Balme hut. There was a steep, snowy hillside that the kids slid down before we departed - Miles regretted not having more time to sled. 

Then we crossed the border. The view of Mont Blanc was incredible - it was a dazzling, sunny day. We then had a long descent to Chalet Alpin du Tour, out last stay of the hike. At one point, one of the donkey's bags slid sideways and had to be adjusted, as happened relatively often on the downslope - the donkeys rock side to side as they find their footing downhill (whereas going uphill there was never a problem). We also passed a pasture with many barking sheepherding dogs, but the donkeys were not troubled.

We had a few relaxing hours before dinner at 7:30 pm, and enjoyed showers with unlimited hot water (although you had to hit the button every 30 seconds). Mark and I had a beer on the sunny patio, and Miles had a mango sorbet. Dinner was a lettuce salad and traditional Savoie fare: Tartiflette and a potato and ground beef pie (similar to shepherd's pie) topped with toasted cheese, which I believe was Hachis Parmentier. Mark and I had a glass of red wine after dinner (which paled in comparison to the fantastic wine we'd had the night before - but it was far less expensive, so we got what we paid for), then off to bed.

Morning sun as we head in the direction of Trient

Crossing the passerelle along the cliffside (the donkeys took an alternate route by the roadside)

Pedestrian bridge over the busy road - a beautiful piece of infrastructure


An easy start to our hike through the forest

Getting close (and getting tired) on our 900 m ascent to the Col de Balme mountain pass (2,195 m)

Gentians - one of many stunning, deep blue flowers blooming in the Alps

We make it to the top! Mont Blanc in (rare) full sun behind us, along with Aiguille Verte, Drus, and les Aiguilles de Chamonix

Miles throws a snowball into the void

Miles sunning himself on the snow

The ultimate sledding hill

The view as we begin our descent into France

A break on our way down to the village of Le Tour

The sheepdogs vigilantly guarded their flock against our donkeys

Beautiful view from our dormitory window (another nice, small room - just us and Karim and Marius)

The boys practiced slack-lining outside the chalet

The only sunset we witnessed the entire trip (we tumbled into bed straight after dinner all other evenings)


































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