September 20 - Arrived Too Late for Hike, Train
to Col de Bretaye
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14:25:36
2019:09:20
I checked into my one-room apartment and appreciated
its outdoor porch.
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14:25:46
2019:09:20
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15:14:24
2019:09:20
I collected my free lift pass at the Tourist Office.
There wasn't time to get out for anything ambitious,
but I did have time to ride the train up to Col de
Bretaye. This is a scenic view from the train.
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15:14:40
2019:09:20
The white dots are golf balls.
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15:21:13
2019:09:20
Col de Bretaye.
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15:21:57
2019:09:20
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15:22:07
2019:09:20
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15:22:22
2019:09:20
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15:22:59
2019:09:20
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15:25:20
2019:09:20
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15:30:10
2019:09:20
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15:32:41
2019:09:20
I thought torture was prohibited by the Geneva
Convention... Apparently you can still torture
buildings...
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15:34:18
2019:09:20
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15:34:45
2019:09:20
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15:36:42
2019:09:20
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15:37:29
2019:09:20
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15:40:15
2019:09:20
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15:40:26
2019:09:20
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15:40:35
2019:09:20
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15:41:38
2019:09:20
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15:44:31
2019:09:20
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19:35:39
2019:09:20
'Rosti' is a Swiss dish based on grated or scalloped
potatoes. Sometimes they are served with cheese,
meat, and/or an egg.
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September 21 - Bus to Col du Pillon Glacier 3000
Lift to Hike Across Glacier
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Runkeeper Info |
Route Map |
09:14:54
2019:09:21
There was only one AM bus to the village of Les
Diablerets.
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09:14:59
2019:09:21
It was a Saturday and I was concerned that on such a
beautiful day, the bus would be full. But there were
just a few passengers.
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09:15:09
2019:09:21
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11:03:22
2019:09:21
From Les Diablerets, I caught the more-frequent bus
to Col de Pillon to catch the Glacier 3000 lift.
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11:03:31
2019:09:21
One of the attractions was a suspended bridge. I
noticed it was visible from the lift base.
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11:04:39
2019:09:21
My visit was on a Saturday, and the lift was fairly
crowded. But it was 'shoulder season'. In high
season the crowds probably exceed the 125-passenger
capacity on the gondola.
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11:04:53
2019:09:21
Mountain runners in a big race from Les Diablerets
were arriving at the pass as the lift began its
ascent.
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11:06:36
2019:09:21
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11:07:38
2019:09:21
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11:08:16
2019:09:21
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11:09:26
2019:09:21
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11:10:22
2019:09:21
At the mid-station, 'Cabane', we transferred from
one 125-person cable car to another.
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11:11:19
2019:09:21
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11:11:29
2019:09:21
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11:11:43
2019:09:21
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11:11:56
2019:09:21
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11:12:38
2019:09:21
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11:14:30
2019:09:21
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11:15:26
2019:09:21
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11:15:54
2019:09:21
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11:17:02
2019:09:21
The transport offered dramatic views during the
ascent to 'Glacier 3000' and the suspended bridge.
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11:18:02
2019:09:21
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11:22:19
2019:09:21
If you want to go to Mauritius, you can flugstunden!
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11:22:37
2019:09:21
Quite the giant marmot!
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11:22:45
2019:09:21
At Glacier 3000, one could ride a mountain coaster,
or descend to walk across the glacier.
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11:23:06
2019:09:21
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11:24:18
2019:09:21
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11:24:30
2019:09:21
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11:24:58
2019:09:21
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11:25:05
2019:09:21
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11:25:13
2019:09:21
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11:25:21
2019:09:21
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11:25:27
2019:09:21
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11:25:33
2019:09:21
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11:25:40
2019:09:21
One of the tourist options was to walk across the
glacier to reach this rock stack. The high peak left
of center in the background is the Matterhorn -
despite its different appearance from the classic
view portraying it as seen from Zermatt.
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11:25:45
2019:09:21
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11:25:51
2019:09:21
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11:26:03
2019:09:21
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11:26:59
2019:09:21
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11:27:09
2019:09:21
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11:27:15
2019:09:21
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11:30:54
2019:09:21
I wasn't sure the skiing rules applied to pedestrian
summer tourists...
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11:33:01
2019:09:21
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11:33:11
2019:09:21
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11:34:14
2019:09:21
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11:34:58
2019:09:21
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11:36:22
2019:09:21
Ramps and steps led to the suspended bridge.
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11:38:32
2019:09:21
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11:38:43
2019:09:21
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11:39:00
2019:09:21
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11:39:31
2019:09:21
I braced myself and headed for the suspended bridge.
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11:41:42
2019:09:21
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11:42:15
2019:09:21
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11:42:23
2019:09:21
I walked
out and back on the suspended bridge. It
rocked a bit, but wasn't as scary as I
anticipated. |
11:43:48
2019:09:21
At the far end of the suspended bridge, a giant wristwatch
was mounted on a rock.
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11:44:21
2019:09:21
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11:44:50
2019:09:21
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11:45:10
2019:09:21
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11:45:28
2019:09:21
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11:45:45
2019:09:21
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11:46:00
2019:09:21
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11:46:20
2019:09:21
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11:46:30
2019:09:21
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11:46:42
2019:09:21
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11:46:56
2019:09:21
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11:47:47
2019:09:21
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11:48:06
2019:09:21
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11:48:34
2019:09:21
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11:49:12
2019:09:21
I realized later that I had not taken any photos
looking DOWN from the bridge.
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11:50:40
2019:09:21
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11:52:38
2019:09:21
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11:58:27
2019:09:21
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11:58:35
2019:09:21
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11:58:56
2019:09:21
I didn't see any wine being dispensed by this
contraption.
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12:02:10
2019:09:21
Outside, there was a chairlift to ride down to the
level of the glacier.
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12:03:23
2019:09:21
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12:18:22
2019:09:21
Anticipating the 9,000-foot elevation and potential
cold, I was adequately togged. Unfortunately, my
clothing did not relieve the photo from the
backlight...
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12:18:28
2019:09:21
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12:18:35
2019:09:21
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12:18:44
2019:09:21
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12:21:51
2019:09:21
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12:22:18
2019:09:21
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12:22:50
2019:09:21
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12:22:54
2019:09:21
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12:23:09
2019:09:21
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12:23:30
2019:09:21
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12:24:59
2019:09:21
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12:36:15
2019:09:21
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12:36:30
2019:09:21
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12:49:32
2019:09:21
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12:52:53
2019:09:21
It took about a half hour to walk across the glacier
and reach the rocks.
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12:57:57
2019:09:21
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12:58:10
2019:09:21
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12:58:42
2019:09:21
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12:58:50
2019:09:21
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12:59:53
2019:09:21
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13:00:03
2019:09:21
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13:00:18
2019:09:21
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13:00:24
2019:09:21
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13:00:31
2019:09:21
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13:04:25
2019:09:21
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13:04:37
2019:09:21
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13:04:49
2019:09:21
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13:06:44
2019:09:21
The 'Refuge' had 'his', 'hers', and 'theirs'
bathrooms.
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13:06:54
2019:09:21
I
approached what I assumed to be a construction
trailer. But, in fact, it was the 'Refuge
l’Espace'. Unlike most 'refuges', this one
did not offer lodging, just food and drink.
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13:07:02
2019:09:21
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13:07:12
2019:09:21
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13:08:59
2019:09:21
I thought it was a pretty high-tech facility for
such a remote location.
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13:09:21
2019:09:21
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13:10:36
2019:09:21
I'm not sure if the tourist trail led to the top of
the rock stack. I didn't get to find out. The trail
was closed.
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13:11:10
2019:09:21
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13:11:28
2019:09:21
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13:11:49
2019:09:21
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13:12:35
2019:09:21
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13:13:19
2019:09:21
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13:16:01
2019:09:21
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13:18:25
2019:09:21
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13:19:31
2019:09:21
Ski-area suburbia.
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13:20:48
2019:09:21
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13:22:27
2019:09:21
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13:22:48
2019:09:21
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13:25:42
2019:09:21
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13:26:36
2019:09:21
There was dirt, gravel, and mud. But when I looked,
I could tell I was walking on ice.
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13:27:36
2019:09:21
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13:28:35
2019:09:21
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13:35:50
2019:09:21
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13:40:47
2019:09:21
Presumably, white cloth was used to cover the snow
and prevent it from melting. I guessed that they
were trying to preserve the snow at the bottom of
this ski lift.
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13:41:12
2019:09:21
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13:45:44
2019:09:21
And I surmised the snowpack for the ski jump was
being protected.
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13:47:45
2019:09:21
Cloth rolls available for snow preservation.
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14:12:15
2019:09:21
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14:12:58
2019:09:21
One of the rotating telescopes indicated which peaks
were shown in which direction. That confirmed that
the mountain in the center is the Matterhorn. (I
couldn't take a photo through the labeled
telescope.)
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14:14:18
2019:09:21
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14:29:37
2019:09:21
The men's room sported the best view I've ever seen
from a toilet stall.
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14:30:36
2019:09:21
Context.
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14:34:10
2019:09:21
Riding back down.
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14:36:59
2019:09:21
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14:37:11
2019:09:21
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14:37:24
2019:09:21
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14:39:53
2019:09:21
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15:25:27
2019:09:21
On the bus from Col de Pillon to Les Diablerets
there was a political poster. I appreciated the
truth-in-advertising indication that he's running
for 'Nationalrat'!
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15:29:10
2019:09:21
A cloud settled-in on the glacier 3000
facility. I was glad that my visit preceded
the cloud.
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15:57:51
2019:09:21
I had to wait for more than an hour to catch the
sole afternoon bus back to Villars. I waited
opposite this sleepy Saturday afternoon cafe.
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16:36:05
2019:09:21
An hour later, the pesky cloud on Glacier 3000
persisted.
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September 22- Train to Col de Bretaye, Hike to
Ensex, Ecrins, Lac de Chavonnes, Back to Col de
Bretaye
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Runkeeper Info |
Route Map |
09:55:24
2019:09:22
I ate dinners out, but since I had a refrigerator
and dishes, I prepared my own breakfasts - as I had
in Saas-Grund the previous week.
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11:26:08
2019:09:22
I took the free-with-pass train back up to Col de
Bretaye. This time I was intending a walk.
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11:26:28
2019:09:22
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11:26:50
2019:09:22
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11:27:09
2019:09:22
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11:27:21
2019:09:22
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11:38:26
2019:09:22
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11:38:33
2019:09:22
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11:40:08
2019:09:22
Baffled at first, I realized that this was an
activity wheel for humans! The cylinder
rotates under foot power.
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11:41:31
2019:09:22
I set off on my walk toward Ensex.
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11:45:20
2019:09:22
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11:59:26
2019:09:22
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12:02:06
2019:09:22
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12:05:19
2019:09:22
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12:05:40
2019:09:22
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12:05:56
2019:09:22
The suspended bridge was visible from my walking
route.
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12:11:44
2019:09:22
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12:12:47
2019:09:22
Obstacle on the trail.
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12:23:42
2019:09:22
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12:27:14
2019:09:22
Approaching Ensex.
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12:27:29
2019:09:22
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12:36:20
2019:09:22
I lost the trail and followed what turned out to be
a cow path - that petered out - steeply uphill.
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12:42:57
2019:09:22
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12:43:09
2019:09:22
While I was enduring my unnecessary, effortful
detour, I was pleased to snag a photo of a fox.
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13:03:17
2019:09:22
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13:03:26
2019:09:22
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13:05:30
2019:09:22
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13:12:28
2019:09:22
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13:12:44
2019:09:22
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13:15:06
2019:09:22
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13:15:20
2019:09:22
I hiked uphill to the crest at L'Encrene.
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13:19:34
2019:09:22
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13:20:23
2019:09:22
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13:20:44
2019:09:22
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13:20:50
2019:09:22
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13:21:10
2019:09:22
Last view of the suspended bridge before I turned
the corner to hike back to Col de Bretaye along the
north side of the ridge.
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13:26:08
2019:09:22
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13:36:49
2019:09:22
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13:41:43
2019:09:22
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13:46:17
2019:09:22
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13:48:02
2019:09:22
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13:50:08
2019:09:22
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13:59:35
2019:09:22
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14:03:38
2019:09:22
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14:04:59
2019:09:22
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14:10:39
2019:09:22
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14:11:12
2019:09:22
I hiked on trail, dirt/gravel road, and paved road
to reach the Lac des Chavonnes.
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14:11:47
2019:09:22
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14:12:43
2019:09:22
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14:13:14
2019:09:22
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14:19:22
2019:09:22
I presumed the ubiquitous pooper-scooper regulations
did not apply to lakeside cows.
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14:19:30
2019:09:22
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14:21:14
2019:09:22
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14:24:32
2019:09:22
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14:24:43
2019:09:22
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14:25:35
2019:09:22
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14:25:44
2019:09:22
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14:28:20
2019:09:22
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14:29:46
2019:09:22
I did not stop at the restaurant/cafe by the lake.
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14:29:54
2019:09:22
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14:31:07
2019:09:22
For non-hikers, the restaurant was accessible to
motorists.
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14:37:20
2019:09:22
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14:43:27
2019:09:22
I hiked back up to the Col de Bretaye.
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14:48:12
2019:09:22
The route passed the Lac de Bretaye.
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14:52:14
2019:09:22
Arriving at the Col de Bretaye, I saw that there was
activity in the 'activity wheel'!
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14:52:24
2019:09:22
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14:52:28
2019:09:22
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14:52:55
2019:09:22
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September 23 - Tram to Barboleuse, Lift to Les
Chaux, Hike to Barboleuse via Taveyanne
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Runkeeper Info |
Route Map |
09:31:12
2019:09:23
I did enjoy my breakfasts!
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11:32:09
2019:09:23
It was gloomy, but not raining, when I rode the
train to Barboleuse and walked to this cozy lift to
'Les Chaux'.
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11:40:35
2019:09:23
The lift pod was wet and it sprinkled a bit while I
rode up.
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11:41:29
2019:09:23
I emerged from the lift and took this photo of the
lift station, then it started to rain heavily.
I quickly donned my rain shell and hastened on my
walk.
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12:02:45
2019:09:23
The rain tapered off as I walked. I appreciated the
scenery, but the rain and comprehensive cloud mantle
discouraged me from taking many photos.
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12:13:46
2019:09:23
Approaching the village of Taveyanne.
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12:15:57
2019:09:23
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12:16:08
2019:09:23
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12:19:29
2019:09:23
I'd seen a lot of cows, sheep, and goats in my
travels, but not many pigs.
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12:22:22
2019:09:23
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12:39:33
2019:09:23
I only saw 3 other people out walking, but I think
this is a popular route in high season and good
weather. I figured that justified the occasional
trail improvements.
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12:45:47
2019:09:23
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12:45:58
2019:09:23
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13:04:53
2019:09:23
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13:34:11
2019:09:23
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13:52:19
2019:09:23
I arrived at the Barboleuse train stop and Tourist
Office.
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14:28:09
2019:09:23
This sign reminded me of the Jaque Tati film 'Jour
de Fête'.
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14:35:56
2019:09:23
The train arrived to port me back to Villars.
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11:46:55
2019:09:24
A few photos of my excellent lodging in Villars.
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11:47:03
2019:09:24
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11:47:14
2019:09:24
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11:47:19
2019:09:24
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11:47:26
2019:09:24
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11:47:40
2019:09:24
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11:47:47
2019:09:24
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11:48:04
2019:09:24
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11:51:20
2019:09:24
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12:08:14
2019:09:24
A couple of photos from the bus en route from
Villars to Aigle.
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12:22:22
2019:09:24
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07:29:38
2019:09:25
I'd reserved an overnight cubicle near Zurich
airport.
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07:30:03
2019:09:25
It was small and character-free.
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07:42:20
2019:09:25
When I wasn't out hiking, I traveled with backpack,
daypack. and fleece jacket.
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14:56:18
2019:09:25
The smokers' patio at Dublin airport.
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14:58:02
2019:09:25
I didn't see anyone take advantage of the self-serve
option.
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14:58:14
2019:09:25
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14:58:26
2019:09:25
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14:58:45
2019:09:25
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