August 1, 2024

Plan Sec, 2,310m

Departure at 7am for Valfrejus. I’m feeling better today despite the short night. I start walking around the Plan d’Amont dam. The morning light is beautiful.

I cross the river and start climbing towards the Col du Barbier, passing on the other side of the Plan d’Amont, from where I can see the refuge near which I slept.

Col du Barbier, 2,295m

At the pass, I meet a couple of hikers who have bivouacked there, and I descend with them to the Orgère refuge.

Refuge d’Orgère, 1,935m

From here it’s a long descent through the forest to Modane.

Modane, 1.066m

I buy something to eat at the bakery, and meet up with Gilles, with whom I’ll be climbing up to Valfrejus.

Valfrejus, Gîte des Tavernes, 1.630m

I stop to do some shopping in Valfrejus, then we continue on to the Gîte des Tavernes, about twenty minutes further on. I pitch my tent, the place is very nice, and decide to have dinner there. This evening, we’re even treated to a little concert by the Traversées musicale des Alpes, a musician who makes the crossing by combining her two passions, nature and music. She plays every evening in refuges along her forty-day crossing of the Alps.

Dinner is excellent, with grilled vegetables, home fries, gnocchi gratin, garden salad and grilled omelette. Great atmosphere and great place, the owner is adorable, and a very good chef.