...continued from Part A - 11 to 13.8.11 (Please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/09/walker-haute-route-part-11-to-130811_750.html).
WHR Day 4: Cabane de Mille to Cabane de Louvie (Down970m and Up700m)
The trip from Cabane de Mille to Cabane de Louvie involved 3 parts - an initial long but easy descent through farm trail as well as dirt road to Le Chable (1500m), followed by a 30 minutes transfer to Fionnay (1490m) where we embarked on a challenging steep ascent over rocky terrain reinforced with iron chains in several dangerous sections of the trail to Cabane de Louvie (2207m). The weather that day was not very welcoming with little sunshine. Hence, we moved fast and managed to complete the downhill trek and uphill trek in 5 hours, excluding lunch break and bus transfer. The trek provided breathtaking view of Grand Combin (4314m) and Lake Louvie as well as amazing sights of chamois and ibexes in their rocky crags and overhangs habitat.
WHR Day 5: Cabane de Louvie to Cabane de Prafleurie (Up760m and Down300m)
We left the Cabane in the midst of poor weather condition. Less than 20 minutes, we sought cover at a stone storm shelter, a remarkable stone arrangement without any pillar support. By the time we scrambled up to Col de Louvie (2921m), mist had almost clouded out the surrounding view. From here, we had to navigate downhill through boulder field to the Grand Desert Lake. Together with glaciers and running icy rivers, the whole place came on serenely wild and raw. The weather changed for the better when we started climbing uphill to Col de Prafleuri (2965m) before descending to a wide quarry to proceed to Cabane de Prafleuri (2662m). The journey took us 8.5 hours. This time, we had an amazing close view of ibexes.
WHR Day 6: Cabane de Prafleurie to Hôtel des Alpes, Arolla Les Haudères
(Up260m and Down750m)
The day began at 7.00 a.m. with a short climb to Col de Roux (2814m) and a steep descent to Lake Dix. The walk along the lake shore was flat and easy. Despite walking at a fast pace, we took about 1 hour to reach the opposite end of the Lake. From thereon, we mounted on an arduous steep rocky climb to Col de Riedmatten (2919m) where we had the wonderful opportunity to have our first glimpse of Matterhorn peeping above a mountain range against the blue sky. Then, it was a steep descent to Arolla (4.40 p.m), a charming village located 2000m above sea level followed by a bus ride to Hotel des Alpes, Arolla Les Hauderes. The journey took about 10 hours.
For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/11397.
For Part C: 17 to 19.8.11, please refer to http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2011/09/walker-haute-route-part-c-17-to-1982011_861.html.
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