TMB Day 12: La Fouly > Champex-Lac

/ alliwanders

Yay! No snorers last night. And besides the occasional visits to the facilities my roomies were very quiet.  It doesn’t mean I slept well but when bedtime is 9pm – 6:30am one gets quantity over quality.

The forecast today looks a bit like my elevation profiles :/) but I should be able to get to my destination before the rains come as it’s not a long day and relatively straightforward.  No big cols to climb but also not as flat as some may think.

Started with a peaceful walk through trees and along a river
Always fun when chains are involved!
Thick forest, few people = zen
@4.6 miles entered first of several little Swiss hamlets, most with traditional and/or very old alpine chalets
Many TMB-ers who are pressed for time skip this stage as it’s “flat” or “boring valley road walk”.  I found it delightful.  
@6.5 miles Blueberry pie is apparently the food that fuels the TMB but I’ve resisted until now – big mistake. It was delicious!
The last 2 miles were where things got a bit challenging again.
A creative soul has placed 18+ carvings along the path turning what might have been a bit of a slog thru the partially dying forest into a fun treasure hunt.
It’s also called the Mushroom Trail so many were mushroom-related
Arrived at my hotel far too early (12:30pm) so went to see Champex-Lac and met Gretchen & Lisa. We’ve been bumping into each other for days
Sleepy town as was siesta time and little was open
All hiking signs. You really have to know where you’re going to find out where you’re going!
Old grand dame of a hotel, built in the ‘30’s
Very happy with my (private!) room
And an amazing view! Turned out to be ~eye level with the clouds when the thunderstorm rolled in about 4:30pm