http://www.flickr.com/search/groups/?q=h2h&m=names
>
Monday, August 27th, 2007
In spite of the singing last night, we all slept very well. After saying goodbye to Gabi and Thomas in the morning, we hiked down to Les Contamines de Montjoie ("Contamines" always sounds to me like there has been an industrial accident nearby, but in fact it means commons, as in land that was held in common tenancy by a nearby town or village).
From there we went up valley, climbing steadily to Nant Borrant, a little hut with a lawn, small tables, parasols, bright sunshine, good food, and beautiful views. Bet you can't guess what we did there....
After a leisurely lunch we had a long slog in the hot sun up to the Col du Bonhomme. I think the mountain scenery was spectacular, but I'm not sure, because I was listening to an audiobook on Russell's iPod Nano and it turns out that I am unable to do that, walk without stumbling on a trail, and look around at the scenery all at the same time. When the book in question is a science fiction classic like Frank Herbert's Dune, well my multi-tasking just becomes that much more inept.
In retrospect, although I love the book, it was disappointing to have in a way "missed" the hike. I have therefore decided not to listen to any more audio-books while hiking unless there is literally nothing to see.
We arrived at the Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (French place-names must be on average the longest in Europe), a rather stark-looking place in rather stark surroundings. At 2433m this is the highest overnight that we will do on the H2H, and looking around at the emptiness left me happy that the rest of the time we have been and will be lower and in greener surroundings.
Not only each mountain hut, but also the personnel of each hut, seems to have its own character. The personnel at this hut were, well, a crew of skateboarders comes to mind. They had some odd hut rules as well: no showers before 17:00, and everyone had to sit together at one (very) long table where it was for those on the side closest to the wall impossible to easily get out once they were seated. But the food was plentiful and our dinner companions (an Irish couple by the names of Conor and Una -- hope I have the spelling right!) exceptionally congenial.
Another nice day.
