the first few steps...

After a little drive through the Mont Blanc tunnel and into Italy we soon reached the start point for the trek.

We unloaded the vans and put on our rucsacs, feeling the wait for the first time. The mountains were beautiful, all covered with Alpine flowers and giggling waterfalls. The sun shone on us as we walked up into the valley that held our first nights accommodation, the Refugio Bezzi.

We made light work of the walk and were soon in front of a really sweet lodge, old and made of good Italian stone work. the sky had become grey as we finished and a light rain had begun.

The evening walk up some of the steeper slopes nearby was called off due to the now heavy rain. we made the best of it by relaxing and drinking in the atmosphere of this old hut, not to mention the excellent wine and food.

During the night a massive thunderstorm raged and we didn't get much sleep, as the lighting circled the valley.....it didn't bode well for the morning.