The long saga of our kitchen renovation is approaching its conclusion: The cupboards, appliances, etc., were finally delivered and installed this week. Mary returned home today in order to inspect the works and to resolve any remaining issues with our contractor. The timing was good: Chloé is flying to France to hike with us for a week or two on the GR5. Mary will meet her at CDG Airport on Saturday. They will travel together to join me in Briançon next Tuesday.
I hiked today from Modane to the Granges de la Vallée Étroite. That was a fairly long étape (7 hrs of hiking), but it went smoothly. A good trail climbed steeply from Modane through forest. Passing the tree line, the trail progressed steadily toward the Col de la Vallée Étroite (2433 m.), surrounded by majestic mountains. The trail descended for about 2.5 hours from the pass to the Granges de la Vallée Étroite, where there are two refuges, the Terzo Alpini (where I had reserved a place for two nights) and I Re Magi.
The Vallée Étroite is an interesting place: It was part of Italy until 1947, when it was annexed by France (along with certain other small territories), pursuant to the Treaty of Paris. France had strategic reasons for taking this territory (which has no strategic importance now), but my theory is that France really wanted the Vallée Étroite because it is so beautiful!
The Vallée Étroite (in Italian: Valle Stretta) remains Italian in its soul. Its cultural and economic life seems more closely linked to Italy than France. One hears Italian spoken more than French. Naturally, dinner tonight at the refuge had a delicious Italian flavor, including in particular polenta.
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This morning's trail passed under a big highway viaduct (leading to the Tunnel de Fréjus) and climbed steeply in a forest above Modane.
The ants in this forest have been busy!
Lying below the old Franco-Italian border, this area was fortified.
Broad vistas opened above the forest:
A good place for lunch:
The final approach to the Col de la Vallée Étroite is gradual and easy.
The Col de la Vallée Étroite marks the boundary between the departments of Savoie and Hautes Alpes.
Descent from the Col de la Vallée Étroite:
We camped here in 1989.
Most of the trail from the pass was smooth and easy, but the descent over this rocky slope was difficult.
La Vallée Étroite:
Today's destination: the Granges de la Vallée Étroite.
The Refuge Terzo Alpini:
The view from my window tonight:
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