It’s amazing how scenery can change. Yesterday morning I was enjoying a big breakfast in a country house hotel in Cheshire. This morning, I was setting off up a Swiss mountainside, with skis on my feet, and rope and rucksack on back.
Given the extraordinary (very hot!) temperatures, we had decided to aim for the higher mountains in search of the best snow and safest terrain. After a quick packing session and kit check, in Chamonix, we'd driven over the border to Switzerland and up to Arolla. From there, we continued on foot, up the wide open Glacier d'Arolla, towards the imposing bulk of Mt Collon.
Under the brilliant blue skies, we continued alone, up onto the higher glacier, where the green of the lower valley was hidden from view. Having come from sea level yesterday, to nearly 3000m altitude, my legs began to feel tired on the last stretch.
Up upon a little rocky knoll, we found our home for the night, in the form of the tiny, unmanned, 'Refuge des Bouquetins at 2980m.
Inside, we found a nice little setup and plenty of room for the three of us to lay out.
First though, we got our hot and heavy ski boots off and sat down outside to enjoy the incredible views.
Next job was to get into the adjoining wood store and chop some logs, so that we could get the central fire going (for heat and cooking).
At this time of year, there is no running water, so we had to make sure there was plenty of snow being melted, so that we could keep hydrated.
The next few hours passed by with us just looking, chatting and drinking endless brews and bowls of Hut Soupe.
We'd carried up plenty of good food and dined on fresh pasta with parmesan cheese, but Stu took things to another level, by producing a bottle of red wine, that he'd carried up as a surprise! Rachel has also brought up her Aeropress coffee maker, so, all in all, it felt a very luxurious affair, given our surroundings.
We were joined by two other Swiss alpinists for the night, who were delighted to be offered a glass of red wine and find the fire lit and roaring.
By the time we went to bed, the place was like a sauna and the stars were shining brightly outside. Went to bed tired and very happy indeed.
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