July 22, 2024

Lac Vert, 1,981m

Departure at 6am in the clouds after a cup of coffee, a big day ahead of us after this forced day off, to try and make up for lost time over the next few days.

We leave Lac Vert and the refuge behind us, and climb to the Pas de l’Hiver at 2,096 meters. The sky is quite overcast, so we can’t see much, but on the descent to La Poya, we get some clear skies and the light is very beautiful.

La Poya, 1,646

We start the climb to the Col de Cou, and quickly re-enter the clouds and rain.

Col de Cou, 1.921m

We descend to La Charbonnière at 1,497m, where I slip several times on wet stones. We then start the ascent to the Refuge de Golèse, still in fine rain.

Golèse Refuge, 1.671m

We stop at the Refuge for breakfast, a blueberry crêpe and another coffee to warm up and regain our strength. When we set off again, the light rain has stopped and we can finally walk in the dry.

We start the descent towards the village of Samoëns. On the way to Samoens, we come across a C family we’d seen 2 days earlier, walking with their young children and sleeping in tents. They’ve even had the courage to walk in the rain during a storm – I’m impressed. The father walks with a 27kg rucksack, what organization!

Samoëns, 700m

We take the opportunity to stock up on fruit, vegetables, bread and tofu (and Nocciolata, yes not the lightest), at the village organic store, and stop for a sandwich.

We then walk flat along the river for several kilometers until we reach the Gorges de Tines.

Gorges de Tines, 800m

We climb into the Gorges over rocks, then steep ladders/staircases, our legs already very tired, we’ve been walking for over 30km, and we want to get there. We head back downhill, skirting a river before entering the forest. We go back over the road to take the bridge and cross the river and then, on the right, we find the Bivouac air that was indicated in the topo guide I’d read at the Chésery refuge. We’re so happy to be able to take off our rucksacks, it’s 6pm and we’ve been away since 6am, the day has been long and we’re feeling it especially hard on our backs.

Bivouac just before Cascade du Rouget, 900m

Located 15 minutes before the Cascade du Rouget, on the right-hand side of the road, this free bivouac area is really top-notch, as you’re on your own and have access to toilets and a (cold) shower.

We prepare a nice dinner, tomatoes/cucumbers, tofu with wild garlic, mashed potatoes mixed with our leftover cheese and Nocciolata toast for dessert.

A couple of hikers will join us later at the bivouac area.