July 26, 2024

Camping Pontet (Les Contamines), 1,180m

Departure at 7:30, after a final coffee with Gabriele, before continuing solo on the GR5. I follow the river to Notre Dame de la Gorge.

I start the climb to the Col du Bonhomme, there’s no one on the path yet. I pass a group coming down, and as I pass them I hear my first name. I turn around without understanding, and it’s a friend from Madrid I haven’t seen for years. It’s a small world…

At around 1500m altitude, we pass close to the river, and a bivouac area is indicated on the left of the path (La Rollaz).

I continue to La Balme.

Refuge de la Balme, 1.706m

Bivouacs possible (free bivouac area with public toilets)

I stop near the refuge to refill my water tank and eat a banana. The sun has passed over the mountain, and I’m glad I’ve made it this far in the shade, as I was able to walk quite quickly. From now on, the climb will be more difficult under the sun. It’s starting to get crowded on the climb, all the Tour du Mont Blanc walkers.

Col du Bonhomme, 2,329m

There’s still some snow, but nothing on the path, so I continue up to the Refuge.

Refuge de la Croix du Bonhomme, 2,433m

I stop just after the refuge to eat the rest of the brioche bread with cheese. This is where the route splits off from the Tour du Mont Blanc. I turn right towards the Crête des Gittes.

Crête des Gittes, 2,538m

So magnificent to walk on this ridge, a 360° view, flowers everywhere on the slopes, and opposite Lake Roseland.

I then descend to the Plan de la Lai via a long track that can be cut by small paths, then walk another ten minutes or so to reach the Refuge de Plan Mya.

Plan Mya, 1,860m

Bivouac at the Refuge du Plan de Mya (Bivouac package with dinner, breakfast and sanitary facilities – €30 – single shower access €3)