Stage 4 Courmayeur to Refugio Bonatti

It rained very hard during the night and the wind was howling so I wasn't sure what to expect. However, it was clear when we woke and although it was windy we were sheltered in the town and then in the forest. We climbed 2300 ft up to Refugio Bertone. There we tried to fill our water bottle but were told that due to the drought we would need to buy water. We assessed our situation and determined that we could probably make it and if there was any concern we could get water from one of two streams that we would pass. They also asked hikers not to use their toilet facilities but Leah snuck in. 

From there we climbed to the crest of the Mont de la Sax. It was one of the steepest climbs that I have done. My gluts felt it. Also I would not have liked to go down that trail. 

The crest was very nice. We had views of the south wall of the Mont Blanc range. We walked below colossal peaks covered in glaciers.  One of the first that we saw was the one that Skyway (that we rode yesterday) ascends. It was neat to get that perspective of yesterday's adventure. 

As we climbed on more mountains and glaciers became visible. Some were reflected in the small tarns we walked by. 

We climbed up to Col Sapin and then descended into a valley and climbed back up to Pas Deux-Sauts. Then we descended again through pasture crossing fences to keep the cattle secure. It was unclear whether the openings in the fence were electric. They were not. Guess who opened the fence?

We passed several old buildings and then came to the beautiful Refuge Bonatti.  The mileage for today was just over 10 miles. However the elevation gain was almost 5200ft. 

We were able to score a small room instead of a dorm so that was great. 

We had a lunch of polenta with cheese and a blueberry tart. We had to try polenta as it is a specialty of the area and tomorrow we leave Italy and walk into Switzerland. 

After lunch we hung out looking at the glaciers directly across from the refuge. 

We were afraid of what we might find in the bathroom after using the public one (a hole in the floor). However the one in our wing is normal. The showered are operated on a token system. You get a token when you check in. This provides a 16 liter shower. Leah braved this first and not so well. It cut out before she finished rinsing. I did a little better.