Day 2 - Les Contamines - Col de la Croix Du Bonhomme - Les Chapieux

Getting an early start we slowly climbed along the trail, taking lots of breathing breaks. Eventually we rewarded ourselves with a “snack” pit stop next to a understated, dimly lit waterfall that was pleasantly framed in mossy rocks.

Overall the trail was marked much better than the previous day. Still, our progress was slow. We continued to crawl up 1,400 vertical meters / 4,500’, breaking every hour for a snack, drink, lunch, any excuse would do as we climbed. As we approached 1,160 vertical meters / 3,800’ the view was spectacular with snow covered peaks all around us.

Ahh the joys of hiking with your wife instead of your guy friends!

Of course, the joys of amazing views are sharable by all.

At one point the snow covered trail dropped, too steep to walk, so we sat on our butts and took a free ride sliding all the way.

We reached the town only to find the hostel we thought we booked no longer was open and the gite, a dormitory style hostel, that was there did not have our reservation. Having no idea where our reservation was made, Jennifer was able to talk our way into an already very crowded scene. The chaos of 20+ trekkers trying to get organized was maddening.

The story continues...