BSP to Col du St-Bernard 3/8/17

3/8/17 Thursday
Day 7

BSP- Col du Grand St-Bernard 14 km

Cool and cloudy in the mountains

Up 0500, depart 0530.
There's a barrier over the way indicating the VF. Walk to the top of town and eat cheese and bread at a water fountain while considering options to proceed.
We begin walking through the car tunnel (8 km in length) which is forbidden to pedestrian traffic.
We abort this plan and return to town where locals advise us in French to take the path by the barrage which is open. By good fortune we are able to locate the correct path by the dam and then understand the meaning of barrage!
A gradual ascent with sightings of marmots and deer.

I build a Zen sculpture among the rocks higher up.
I yodel twice in memory of my father.
A hovering brown eagle whistles a response.

Meet several day-hikers.
Wildflowers and motorbikes, alpine freshness.
Steep climbs across brooks, up rock and shingle faces.
Cool air.
Solitude.
The Col is very busy with tourists. We walk across to Italy at the far end of the lake.
Lunch at a roof-top veranda: good food and service.
Look in on a mass service and visit the museum and St Bernard dogs.


CHF 30 Lunch
       120 Dinner and night at Hotel (washing no charge)
         10 Museum ticket















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