Day 1 Hike - Les Houcehs to Les Contamines

TMB Route on Sign

One of many view on the TMB

Great start, we actually made the 20K and 900M climb in the time suggested by our route guide (6.5 hours). In fact we beat our luggage which arrived at our hotel over 2 hours later. We also beat the three men we met at breakfast, last we saw they were sitting in the shade of a wood shed (not that we are competitive!). We can't take all the credit as they were only using a 1:25,000 (10 cm =250m) map and we had a detailed route guide plus a map and compass.

The countryside is spectacular, we walked through little French villages with pretty chalets, flower baskets, climbing roses etc. Everything is lush and green. And then there is the backdrop of snow covered Alps.

We walked up mountain biking trails past ski lifts and left that behind when we crossed the Mont Blanc tramway and headed west into the next valley. It was sunny but a bit too warm, about 26-28 C.

Our hotel, the Gai Soleil

We were able to get a set dinner at our hotel for a good price, and it was fabulous: tomato soup, veal stew with carrots, mashed potatoes, and butter rum soaked cake. We notice food here is simple, fresh and flavorful.

We will not be posting until Wednesday as the next three nights are at mountain huts (refuges or rifugios) and we are unlikely to have internet. Besides, our iPads will go ahead in our luggage to be waiting at the next hotel.