Moved to Italy
Trip Start
Aug 19, 2012
1
4
7
Trip End
Aug 31, 2012
Courmayeur, Valle d'Aosta, Italy
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
towards Val Veni with the huge Glacier du Miage prominent to your left. The TMB
takes a high route along the Northern slopes of Mont Favre in order to gain
better views of Mont Blanc across the valley. From Col Checroui the TMB descends
rapidly down steep ski runs to the village of Dolonne and then Courmayeur
itself. Courmayeur is a bustling and lively town with all facilities and a
noticeably Italian feel, in contrast to Chamonix and the settlements met on the
route so far.
The next stage, which has much climbing, passes Rifugio Bertone on the way to
Rifugio Bonatti. A
highlight of the day, in fact of the whole Tour, is the traverse of the long
grassy ridge of Mont de la Saxe which acts as a lookout for the Mont Blanc range
opposite. Cross Col Sapin at 2,436m (7,992ft) and Pas Entre Deux Sauts at 2,524m
(8,281ft) before dropping down to the Rifugio. Named after the famous Alpinist
Walter Bonatti this is a modern and comfortable hut known for its generous and
delicious food. Its position on a grassy shelf opposite the Grandes Jorasses is
enough to recommend it!
