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Oisans and Hautes-Alpes
Having not been back to Oisans for ages, we go up to sleep on the heights of Alpe d’Huez.
1. The next day, at the Col of Sarenne, a small road offering beautiful views.
Although a gate stops VLV from accessing the Emparis Plateau, we try to get there from the opposite side, above the small station of Chazelet.
2. We ride our mountain bikes up the valley towards the Refuge of Pic du Mas de la Grave.
3. Last hamlet of Rivet du Pied below the face of La Meije.
4. The valley is beautiful despite the traces of recent storms.
5. Despite Emile’s good health, it’s too late to reach our goal.
6. We head back down, not without stopping for a few photos..
7. Looking for a place to sleep, we discover that there is a small lake above the road to Lautaret Pass and we go to the parking lot, below the lake.
8. Lake Poncet is beautiful and almost without people at the end of the day.
We sleep below the Lautaret Pass where a flock of sheep visits us at sunset.
The following day, we climb to Granon Pass and take our mountain bikes to explore the Fort of Olive, a vestige of the past.
9. Discovery of underground barracks beneath the fort.
10. Arriving at the fort after a steep climb.
11. It is still well preserved.
12. We set off again towards VivaLaVida while the wind is blowing hard.
13. Descent before the climb back up to the Granon Pass.
14. The view to the East, above the Claree valley.
15. In the distance, Mont Thabor and Pass of Thures which we discovered last summer, at Lake Chavillon.
16. We sleep below the Granon Pass, all of whose spots are now closed to campers…
I’ll tell you the rest shortly. 😀
Argentera Valley & Pass of Tende
As previously mentioned, we’re delaying our descent to Tende as the weather isn’t favorable. Emile wanted to return, so we head up to the Argentera Valley. Access is now subject to a toll, with a toll booth on the bridge at the entrance to the valley.
We are a little disappointed to discover that major protection works have been undertaken, no doubt following recent heavy storms. Several areas of earthworks aimed at channeling lateral streams disfigure the lower part of the valley and greatly reduce its charm. Fortunately, higher up, nothing has yet been undertaken.
1. We find a nice spot down by the river.
2. View from our camp.
3. End of day tones.
4. The next morning, we take a walk upstream to discover a beautiful torrent.
5. Back at our camp, Emile takes the opportunity to cool off in the river.
6. Brrrr… it’s cold!
7. …
8. But it feels good!
9. The upper part of the valley remains quite wild.
With the weather improving in the South, we head down to Tende where we hope to discover the Alta Via del Sale (High Salt Road), an approximately 55 miles long trail that follows the ridgeline border between Italy and France. We did the Western section in 2017 but not the Eastern loop.
10. The hairpins of the Col de Tende on the French side (South). This trail is closed to traffic for several years.
11. Meet upon arrival at Fortress Central.
12. First night in the barracks, alone that evening.
13. Since it’s Tuesday and the regulated section of the Ruta del Sale is reserved for pedestrians and bicycles on Tuesdays and Thursdays, we set off to discover the beginning by bike. Here, on the climb to Campanino Pass, with Fortress Central in the background.
14. Emile is comfortable on his new mountain bike, even on climbs.
15. In the end, we rided 12 miles and 13,600 feet of elevation gain. Well done to him!
16. Second night in one of the old quarries used to build the barracks, for sheltering as a strong north wind is blowing.
17. Barracks at sunset.
To be followed in a few days…
Fall holidays (4)
1. Wake up at 8,500 feet elevation under Fort Jafferau and the full moon.
2. Mineral universe in the warm light of the rising sun…
3. Another fort, Föens fortress, much lower in the mountain.
4. I love these high altitude tundra.
5. Another abandoned fort, just beside our bivouac.
6. It’s time to break camp.
7. Going down, we find other golden larches…
8. … and a much smoother trail on this side.
9. Föens fortress…
10. … of which we discover part of interior.
11. It’s already time to go home as it’s the end of holidays. Last boondocking under the Galibier Pass. Despite the negative temps, Emile plays with his small cars. 🙂
12. Last sunrays on the surrounding peaks and last image of the season for VivaLaVida.
Thank you for following our few 2021 peregrinations.
It is time for Emile and I to wish you a Happy Christmas! See you next year for new adventures!! 🙂
Fall holidays (3)
1. This high valley of the Clarée is just magnificent at this season!
2. Back from our hike to Long Lake, we still walk along the river.
3. Emile takes the opportunity to play one of his favorite hobbies:
4. … throw stones in the water!
5. I enjoy the superb views over the valley.
6. What a beautiful alpine river!
7. Last look on the way back down to Bardonecchia.
8. Back in Italy, we take a trail to Fort Jafferau, a former Italian fort built at the top of Mount Jafferau, at 9,150 feet elevation.
9. While the west slope climb is steep and requires the use of short gears for several miles, a pipe from VLV’s cooling system cracks, forcing me to stop for two hours to make a makeshift repair. But we still get to the top at the end of the day.
10. As the wind is still blowing strong, we descend a few miles on the other side for the night.
11. The end of the day offers beautiful views.
12. The sun has already set when I light the fire. A red fox comes and watch us from just a few feets away while I cook on the campfire.
13. Dusk…
14. … before a night lulled by the wind.
that’s it for today. I have one last article to be published soon, which will close this 2021 season in VivaLaVida. 🙂
Italian gateway
The VLV alpine trip continued to the Lombarde Pass linking France to Italy.
1. Going up to Isola 2000, VivaLaVida crosses a small reach to reach a pretty picnic place.
2. Having good time…
3. Emile loves to be in the nature…
4. Over the pass under a rain shower.
5. Small lake going down to Italy.
6. …
7. Switchback turns on the Italian side.
8. Arrival at the Tende Pass and its various abandoned fortress.
9. The view towards North is immense…
10. Some ruins are quite large.
11. We will spend the night in one of these abandonned fortress.
12. Inside one of those…
13. Sun is setting…
14. South side of the Tende Pass, in France.
15. Sunset behind the mountains…
16. Campfire under the stars. This will unfortunately be the only one of this vacation, the riss of wildfire being very high at the moment…
To be followed soon…
D5 Creation