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Friday, August 31st, 2007
3:45 in the morning. That's when Russ and Sally got back from, it turns out, a cafe/disco in Les Arcs (30 mins drive away). They had a great time, although the alcohol and cigarettes and short night left Russell feeling a little under the weather this morning. He said to me, is there any way to get to Col Palet by car, because if there is, I'm taking it. Unfortunately there wasn't.
But fortunately it is not a long hike. The literature says 5 hours from Rosuel to Col Palet, the signpost said 4.5 hours, I did it in 2 hours and 40 minutes (not counting about 40 minutes waiting for Russ and Sally). So, it was almost like another rest day.
The weather was dry but with fog and low clouds, so we didn't see very much other than a couple of dozen marmots who seemed to have figured out that they are living in a National Park and thus need have no fear of humans. Everywhere else they whistle alarm and run away at first sight; here they let me walk by at times only 5 meters from them.
The hut at Col Palet is pretty basic at the best of times... and this isn't the best of times because they are renovating. So although there is a shower, it is cold, and the toilet is an outdoor portacabin. At least the wood-burning stove in the dining room / lounge is on and putting out a goodly amount of heat.
There are a couple of French guys hiking the GR5 and five other English hikers here tonight, so I'll talk to them if Russ and Sally as expected collapse into bed around 8:30 :-).
No connectivity, so you won't see this for at least another day.
