Second pass behind us.This is a big one, we’re glad to have it over. Yesterday was more mileage, almost 20 km or 12.1 miles, today was much steeper in terms of altitude and climbing, as this pass was much tougher than the day before. Many more serious hikers on it because it was a combination of two different trails. The Mont Blanc trail and Haute Route both share the same leg over this Fenêtre d’Arpette. Only 8,800′, about the height of Purgatory base, but the gain was 4,600′ about half of it thru boulder fields which makes for slow going.

There were plenty of other hikers going both ways on the pass, so it was hard to get our “moment” under the signpost. Once again the weather was absolutely perfect, crystal clear blue skies with nary a cloud in sight.

This last photo is a picture looking back up to the pass while going downhill, it truly is a window. We’re now in a tiny Swiss hotel in town called Champex-Lac looking forward to our half– pension dinner and a comfy night’s sleep.