Very little sleep, a leisurely breakfast at 8 having got our bags and gear ready to go, and then we set off at about 9 for a great days hiking.
Left the village on this path, which wound around (and UP) the mountain, 
and up the valley past the village of Aroumd,
across a floodplain, 
and up into a steeper valley. Weather is beautiful and we are all toasty. 
We find the donkeys tethered just below the snowline, 
and have lunch at a place that may or may not be Chamharouch!
Left the village on this path, which wound around (and UP) the mountain, and up the valley past the village of Aroumd, across a floodplain, and up into a steeper valley. Weather is beautiful and we are all toasty. We find the donkeys tethered just below the snowline, and have lunch at a place that may or may not be Chamharouch! 
(skipping the last opportunity in a while to shop, and spotting a Lammergaier circing very high above us as we eat)
From here on, we are on snow, but the path is worn and we make easy progress.
This was my favourite sign. Good thing we knew you weren't allowed to scuba - it was so tempting, being sunny and all . . .
This was my favourite sign. Good thing we knew you weren't allowed to scuba - it was so tempting, being sunny and all . . . 
despite the occasional snow shower. The views of snow-covered mountains with razor-sharp peaks is stunning.
This path is well known, and at about this point, you are guaranteed to be good and thirsty!
It's also the place where the snow showers blew in again, but we're tough and hard, or something.
The walk is great, views are fantastic. Clouds pass, covering over and then exposing the mountains again.
Eventually . . .
(and I mean eventually - Gerry reckons this is the hardest days work he has done in his life!) we reach the refuge, where there is some hot mint tea waiting for us. 
The refuge is huge, and comfortable (so long as you understand that heating is not included, and you dress appropriately!) Note the snow piled up outside. 
We shake most of the snow off and sit for a minute to recover.
(and I mean eventually - Gerry reckons this is the hardest days work he has done in his life!) we reach the refuge, where there is some hot mint tea waiting for us. The refuge is huge, and comfortable (so long as you understand that heating is not included, and you dress appropriately!) Note the snow piled up outside. We shake most of the snow off and sit for a minute to recover.
Inside the refuge, a fire warms its immediate vicinity, but does nothing for the rest of the place. Unpack, dinner, a chat by the fire and we are done for the day - especially as it transpires we are aiming for a 6:00am breakfast and a 7:00am departure.
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