Mountain Air Blog

With the summer well under way we took the opportunity to take some friends on a 2 day mountain walk staying overnight in one of the highest refuges in the area. The day began with temperatures climbing steeply and that was to be our theme for the day too!  Beginning in Chatel we walked out of the village towards the Pas de Morgins and then along the Val de Morgins, zig-zagging across the bridges, heading first for the Salon de They and then onwards and upwards to Tovassiere and the Col de Portes Du Soleil.  It’s a steady climb, beginning at around 1200 metres, reaching 1600 metres at Tovassiere.  The valley has picnic spots all along the banks and as the river was looking very inviting in the heat. Shortly after the Salon de They, the path left the riverbank and began a fairly steep ascent up to Tovassiere.  By the time we got there the skies were looking rather black, but we decided to press on.  Lightening and thunder were soon crashing around us, not to mention rather painful hailstones, so we took shelter in a barn and waited out the storm.  When the weather had calmed down we took the wide track up to the Portes du Soleil and gazed across over Le Crosets to the magnificent Dents de Midi mountain range.  A few minutes later we were at the highest point of that day’s walk at the Point d’hiver just over 2,000 metres and then it was just a short descent  to Lac Vert and the Refuge which sits at 1980 metres. The recent warmth has still not melted the last of the snow.

A great meal, a few games of cards and a pretty good nights sleep set us up for the 4 hour walk back to Chatel the following day. Taking the track towards Avoriaz and via Linderets, Plaine Dranse and Linga completing our circular walk at around 3pm on the second day. A really nice refuge and a great 2 days of walking!