Brunissard

25 August 2015:  Grand beau temps!  Sunny weather!  After two days of rain and low clouds, the skies cleared today and the sun returned.  The timing could not have been better.  Mary traveled to Briançon today to rejoin me on the GR5, and she did not come alone:  Chloé (having flown over from California a few days ago) traveled with her.  Chloé will hike with us for about 10 days.  We are thrilled!

So Didier, Marie and I drove this morning from Montgenèvre to Briançon to meet the train.  Chloé needed some rain gear, so we went first to a nearby Intersport store.  I turned out to be the big shopper there:  I bought a new jacket to replace one that hasn't been keeping me sufficiently dry in heavy rain.  Having now made a substantial investment in a new jacket, I confess to hoping that we get some rain some day soon...

After the shopping spree (in addition to my new coat, we bought a poncho for Chloé and a pair of socks for Mary), we drove up to the Chalets des Ayes (1711 m.), where we ate a light lunch at the buvette there.  With Marie and Didier, we then set off for the Col des Ayes (2477 m.) on a magnificent trail.  Even the trail that we followed when we missed a turn and hiked in the wrong direction for 10 minutes was excellent.  

We paused at the Col des Ayes for a second lunch and to admire the stunning views in both directions.  We then said farewell to Marie and Didier – generous hosts and great hiking companions – and hiked down an easy trail to Brunissard (1746 m.), where we are staying at a very comfortable gîte d'étape, Les Bons Enfants.

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Departure by car this morning from Montgenèvre, en route to Briançon:

Arrival of Mary & Chloé at the Briançon train station:

The Chalets des Ayes:

We enjoyed observing the horses and cattle around the buvette at the Chalets des Ayes, including, in particular, a young calf. 

Hiking up to the Col des Ayes, with Didier setting the pace:

Is this the right trail?...

Didier:

The Col des Ayes:

Farewell to Didier and Marie:

Descent to Brunissard:

Chloé's Challenge:  Try climbing this wall!

Brunissard in sight!

The gîte d'étape, Les Bons Enfants:

The view from our room: