Moiry Hut 7/7/24

Today had to be one of the most challenging hikes I have ever done.  It was straight up and up for more than five hours.  I am sure my upper thighs have not recovered from the rescue "ordeal." It was also the steepest of any trail I have ever been on. I thought I would never get to the pass. Whenever I felt this had to be the summit, NOPE, I turned a corner, and there was more up. Holy Moley.

I had to take two buses to the start of the trail in La Sage. I had a Coca-Cola Zero so I could use the bathroom.

Along the first part of the trail.

I was in and out of the clouds for most of the day.

Always good to have a bridge.  Youngsters ahead of me that I never saw again.

A tiny village along the way.

It was stunning.  I have too many photos to post all of them.

I said some prayers here.  The little cabin had a padlock on the door. I wonder if anyone ever stays there.

An old landslide.

I had to get out the mini spikes. They were easy to put on my new boots.  It is normally a major no-no to wear a new pair of boots on the trail but these are the bomb - so comfortable - no rubbing - no blisters.

I had to do down this huge snow-covered glacier.  I wasn't counting on an extremely steep downhill.  I thought I would just be using them to walk across a small area.  My little spikes did the job - them and two hiking sticks.  I made it all the way down.  I am WOMAN - hear me roar.  Actually I said a whole bunch of prayers with every step.

If you look very close, about the middle of the photo, you will see a chamois. It's that little bump.  Dang, I miss my camera with the big zoom..

Look at the gorgeous color of that water.  Finally, downhill. But after the downhill, much to my surprise, it was another hour and a half up.  I said some very unladylike things, but no one could hear me.

At last, Cabane du Moiry. The last part of the climb was like being sick from too much alcohol (college days) when you can't decide if you are going to live or die.  I am sure none of you have had that experience.  Dinner was typical hut fare, soup, pasta, bread, and some sort of orange puddingy thing. I was so tired I didn't finish my one glass of wine.

Despite my whining about the difficulty, it was an amazing, gorgeous hike. If the magnitude of the Alps doesn't convince you there is a God, I think you have never been here.

Good night to all.