Haute Route Day 3: Left the Chanrion hut just before sunrise. Had a three mile hike along great trails to the base of the Otemma glacier. This is an enormous expanse of ice that apparently moves down of nearly one foot
per day, due
to the persistent thrust of the glaciers of its basin. The climb along the glacier was fun, but very long--10k of basically straight walking with gentle elevation gain throughout. Our minds numbed during four hours of walking, we devolved into playing games like "Name a Fruit ... Any Fruit." There were no more rules than that. Nearby were the high, sharp peaks along the Italian border (Singla, 12,185 feet, Grand
Blanchen, 12,067 feet). We had a steep scramble up a boulder strewn ridge and were met with an awesome view of the Vignettes hut, which clings perilously to the mountainside. It has been described as an eagle nest built on the top of a vertical wall.This was unanimously the best hut on our trip. Great food and the hutkeepers were awesome. Our group of six (plus our guide) were the only ones there, except one other couple.
Hike duration: ~
6 hours.
Length : 9 miles.
Difference of elevation: 2,776 feet up, 492
feet down.
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