Stage 2 - Les Contamines to Refuge Mottets

IWe began the day with a pretty level walk to a church named (Notre -Dame de la Gorge). It was a pretty church and as we left there we walked up an old Roman Road and let me tell you the Romans built some steep roads  there was a gorge not far up the road.  

We climbed 1500ft to Refuge La Balme were we had a break before beginning the real climb to Col de Bonhomme. After our break we climbed steeply to the Col. I am not sure what Col means exactly but it seems to be like what we would refer to as a pass. The Col was magnificent. In one direction we had views of Lac Jovet (lake) and Mont Triondo.  On the other side there were green valleys and towering mountains. 

Our climbing was not done we had two more passes to cross. It was a long day but well with it with phenomenal views. 

The next pass that we crossed was Col de las Croix and then Col des Fiours.  The climbing was not quite as steep along the way. In fact we saw our first mountain bikers  

After the Col des Four it was a long down hill. However, there fantastic views of enormous glaciers.  I did the most amazing acrobatic maneuver. I slipped, spun and landed but down in a hole. I wasn't hurt but it was quite awkward getting out of the hole wearing a backpack 

At the bottom of the hill was the ruins of an old town Ville de Glaciers which seems to have a Beaufort cheese making  establishment.   There was also an old church there 

We did the final uphill hike to our hut. We arrived just ahead of the rain.   This is the Refuge. There are a couple of things that I need to mention about the refuge. First the toilets don't have toilet seats which makes doing your business a little strange. Second. after a non- vegetarian dinner, a girl played a windup instrument similar to a player piano and people sang along in French. It was rather amusing.