I noted in my brief Haute Route update a few days ago that we did a ‘Yucky’ hike on Tuesday from cabane Louvie to cabane Prafleuri, but more than one person who did this hike has since told me they really liked it. So while I won’t profess to have liked it, I will concede that it was very unique and that many people may find it interesting. This is one of the most remote stages of the tour, with a trail that is consistently rugged, rocky, high and often exposed. The Grand Desert, once a famous glacier crossing, but no longer a glacier crossing due to the continuing recession of the glacier, looked like a moonscape. One part of the trail was termed a ‘cruel but necessary stepdown’ and some of our poor WA/AK friends did it twice when they got separated from each other… BAH!
The Cabane de Prafleuri was in a barren valley, an area used as a quarry in the 1950’s for gravel for the nearby Dixence dam, so not the prettiest setting, and the food and service were among the poorest we have had, but a room swap with the WA/AK group resulted in the unexpected bonus of a private room for us for the night, which was much appreciated.
Early morning look-back at lac Louvie
Flower field by lac Louvie
cabane Louvie recedes in the background (a speck on the far side of the lake) with Grand Combin brilliant above
Are we on the moon?
Glacier de Prafleuri
The Grand Desert
cabane de Prafleuri in the distance
cabane de Prafleuri
