Vallonetto Bivouac, Susa Valley, Italy

12-09-2015

Quite a view from the top

This morning we started bright and early (6.00am) an headed to the High Susa Valley, direction Exilles, Rochemolles. Past the Scarfiotti Refuge, we still went a bit further on in our cars, then we started the steep ascent towards the Fourneaux Pass (3139m). After reaching the Pass, we bore right, and still up, to pass the Galambra hut then further on to the Vallonetto Bivouac (3212m).

Galambra hut - a break on the way up

The day was mostly overcast with foggy patches - I guess we would have had spectacular views otherwise!

Vallonetto Bivouac

There was quite a few people there, and we went up with a bunch of friends, for the bivouac (a tiny hole, really) has just been repaired and has been entitled to a fellow mountaineer who perished on his beloved mountains. I didn't know him personally, but a few of my own friends did, so we thought it was a nice excuse to take a walk...

I obviously ended up with a splitting headache, as per usual when I make a great effort... these mountains are really quite too steep for my likings, for I prefer some milder uphills. Still, I had a nice time, like always when I finally manage to get these feet moving!  :-)

Satisfied, after all  ;-p

Strudel-galore after the hike

more pix of the hike, here: https://goo.gl/photos/By1uTjR3TVio6K4r9

Val Susa

04-01-2015

Second hike in 4 days since the start of the year - it must be a good omen! ;-)

This time I was in the Susa Valley with my wife and a couple of friends, and the trail started in Bousson and ended at the Capanna Mautino hut, where we had a much welcomed lunch.

It was a fantastic sunny day, pretty warm for the season, and slightly windy. We found some snow on the trail and towards the top of the mountain, and lots of thick ice spots along the road. My portable crampons (anti-slip soles) did their job pretty well - I can surely recommend them for just such an occasion. I may not cross a glacier on them, but for ice on the trail they just do the trick.

Spiky Plus from Petzl

I recorded the trail on wikiloc: http://tinyurl.com/pu56zrn

To sum the day up - good company, good trail, great weather, food ok.

Here are some pix of the day.

snow has already melted in the lower parts of the trail

ice on the water

the sun's peeping through

that's me, with the Norwegian hat

a view of the Chaberton mountain

food, at last! :-p