On a knife edge

Day8. Stage 8: Refuge de Manganu -> Refuge de Petra Piana

Tim and Paddy are missing.

We got up at 4am with them, as once again this was our 'last opportunity' to walk with everyone as we planned to climb another mountain tomorrow, while Tim, Paddy, Joey and Mark were to head on to the next refuge. It was only once we were up and ready that we realised Mark and Joey had elected to stay in bed and start later in the day!

Climbing by torchlight was a challenge. Ben found he liked just concentrating on his feet and not worrying about how far or high he was going. Where as I found exactly the opposite - having a target really helps!

Weather it was just the early start, or the last 7 days of hiking - I really struggled with a lack of energy, and really wasn't the best company for the climb! But as we climbed over the top of the ridge we were blinded by the rising morning sun. Painful as it was, i found out I'm actually solar powered - and felt full of energy!

Using these new found beans, Ben and I headed off along a knife edge ridge around the head of the valley, and began to leave Tim and Paddy behind.

Hours later, when we arrived at the refuge, we found we were the 1st ones to arrive that day. 6 hours later, there was no sign of Paddy and Tim.

All the other faces from the last few days including Joey and Mark made it in. No one had seen anything, and the refuge Gardien knew of no mountain rescue calls that day.

They just disappeared.