The Alps are bisected with trails every which way, often intersecting. At each intersection you have a choice in direction each leading to its own journey. Some of them eventually lead to the same place, you just get different views; some are longer, some are steeper. Sometimes people are intersections and you can choose a path into their lives....
Les Haudères is a great place to just "be". Quiet, peaceful, welcoming. After a simple breakfast we were saddling up in front of the hotel and preparing for a nearly 4700' walk up the valley wall when a 78 year old local walked by and greeted us in French. Our feeble replies altered him to ask, "English or American?" His father was once a mountain guide and he had travelled the same path we were about to start. He didn't follow in his father's footsteps but joined the Swiss army and became a medic. He told us how grateful he was for the English and American's sacrafice of their youth during WWII. Otherwise all of Europe and Switzerland would be speaking "Deutch". Pretending to wipe a tear from his eye he thanked us and wished us a good hike. I wish our schedule would allow for even more time and maybe a coffee with him.
Our path started staight up the hill through the village and then through the chalets of the hamlet Forclaz, another place I would like to spend more time. What do these folks do? The chalets are a mix of old and new, utilizing amazing wood craft. The path took us among the chalets, their gardens, backyards....their lives.
After checking the route and determining which path to take, we made our way up the steep trail to the Col. Far off in the distance we could see the Cabane de Moiry perched on a rock out crop overlooking the Glacier de Moiry. It looked as if we could touch it. However it took us another three hours to walk down a couple thousand feet to the foot of the glacier through more "Swiss backs", much more direct and steeper than the switchbacks I'm used to.
At the bottom there was a parking lot and a closed refreshment stand where we joined others for a rest. Then we began the climb to the mountain hut. After 1 1/2 hours, bringing today's vertical ascent to over 6000' through more Swiss backs we reached the Cabane de Moiry, an awesome modern mountain hut with all the conveniences of a highly rated hotel. And the view of the glacier is total awe.
While sitting on the deck a gentleman asked if we spoke English. He was originally from Germany but now lives in the Phillipines. When asked what brought him to the Alps he says he is on "fourlough" with his family. He is a missionary serving the needs of the poor who live in the slums of Mindanao. Christian and two of his kids are enjoying day hikes in Europe before joining his wife in Germany next Sunday. He was very attentive and loved talking about missions work around the globe. We exchanged email addresses and I suspect we shall meet again.
During a delicious and filling supper we visited with Cory. She is from Minneapolis hiking through Switzerland. Her father encouraged her to take this trip, although I'm pretty sure he worries for her. I'm glad she chose to sit with us during supper. I hope we were able to provide her with some assurance and familiarity as she travels alone.
Tomorrow we travel to Zinal. There is promise of a tram ride down the steep hill. Rhonda's knee can use a rest. Pray for her recovery and strength.
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