An easier day with the end of the TMB in sight
After lots of rain during the previous evening and night, it was nice to wake up and look outside to see more sunshine. A quick breakfast was eaten and I set off along the road through Le Peuty towards the forest. As I passed the small campsite in the village I saw one man lift his tent up and all the water poured out of it, I don't imagine he had a very enjoyable night or found somewhere else a bit drier to spend the night. I knew today would be a slog up to the Col de Balme and I would be right. I entered the forest and started to climb the numerous zigzags, some of which were steeper than others. The only comfort just now was at least I was shaded from the sun but it was still very warm and sticky.
About an hour after I entered the forest, I was still zigzagging and still suffering along with all the other hikers that I was seeing. There were very few glimpses through the trees to take my mind of the slog. Eventually the path left the forest and the path seemed to get easier. It maybe helped that I could see the Refuge at the top of the Col so now I could see how far I had to go. The views back down to Trient told just how high I had come in a short distance and I could also see the cafe across the valley at Chalet du Glacier where I'd stopped the day before for a short rest and a drink.
The path would be rockier now that I was out in the open but it was certainly more gentle than the forest path plus there was a bit of a breeze today which helped cool me down a bit. The path was gently climbing up towards the Refuge at the Col but still zigzagging at times but a steady pace took me to the top. It was a bit early to stop for something to eat and drink plus a bit breezy so I decided to press on after a brief break.
There are two choices from the top of the Col, a higher route over the Col des Posettes which climbed up to the Aiguillette des Posettes or a lower route down to Le Tour, both routes would meet up in Tre Le Champ, just after Montroc. It was another sunny day so I opted for the higher route. It started as a nice gentle path slowly descending down to the Col des Posettes and I stopped here for lunch, looking over towards Mont Blanc. I knew I still had some climbing to do but it wasn't much ascent, it was warm, it was early and it had one fantastic view.
After lunch it was uphill all the way, not too steep but I started to get tired near the top as some of it required some stepping over boulders. The views though on both sides were well worth the detour, especially looking over at Mont Blanc and it's surrounding hills which were free from cloud at that time. Eventually I dragged myself up to the top, took in the views and especially the towns and villages in the Chamonix valley, they looked so close but still there was two more days to walk before I reached it.
I started my descent, some bits required a bit of care as it was steep and my legs were a bit tired after the climb up. The path was a never ending descent and I started to get fed up, just wanted to be down the hill as my feet and knees were starting to get sore. On and on it went, through the forest and getting lower and lower until I saw a sign pointing towards the place I was staying that night, Gite le Moulin, I was almost there.Some more forest path took me down to the Railway Station at Montroc, it would have been so easy just to jump on a train into Chamonix and enjoy two days in the town and forget the TMB but I still had two more days left.
I reached Gite le Moulin to see a sign saying it wouldn't be open for a couple of hours but to leave your bags if you wanted to go elsewhere. So I did and walked down the road ten minutes or so into the village of Argentiere where I knew there was a shop and cafe's. I stocked up on a few goodies, some of which I ate in a local park and then returned to Gite le Moulin to find that I was first in the Dorm so I had my pick of the bunk beds and chose a bottom one, which seems like a luxury after a hard day's walk. More people would arrive soon, many of them had stayed at Trient the night before, always nice to see familiar faces on a long distance walk.
It had been yet another good days walking and good weather making the scenery fantastic as it had been all the TMB. I have two days left to walk and am not too hopeful about the weather but I can't complain as I've been lucky so far. I'm starting to think about the finish of the TMB in a couple of days and what I'll buy to treat myself, not just food and drink but a few touristy things....like you do.
Gite le Moulin, Montroc near Argentiere
There were a few options around the Argentiere/Le Tour area to stay the night but I chose Gite le Moulin which is in Montroc. The Dorm was clean as were the showers and bathrooms, and I enjoyed the meal that was served up but again like in so many places, I could have ate a lot more. Luckily I had walked into Argentiere before dinner and had plenty of snacks for the evening. I was quite happy with my stay here and would stay here again although I'd prefer a Hotel in Argentiere but Gite le Moulin was cheaper plus dinner and breakfast were included in the price.
