I wake early and descend from the ski slopes into the town of Monêtier-les-Bains to resupply. I arrive before the grocery store is open so I stop by the local boulangerie and stuff my face with pastries while waiting. The day heats up under a clouds sky but the air feels hazy and heavy. There are meandering climbs all day and I cross the stage boundary before around noon. I get onto something called the le Trail du Galibier which is a nigh invisible path down the valley. I have to go slow to spot the next paint marking or tiny orange flag and find my way. The afternoon and evening is dominated by wide open alpine views and passing by several lakes. I walk 50km(31mi) to set my self up to summit Mont Thabor early tomorrow.
I blast off in the morning for Thabor, which is a pretty straightforward climb up. The view up top at 3178m(10426ft) is stunning as the early morning sun stretches it's influence across the horizon. A hiker approaches me and questioningly says my name. It's Robin, who I met just outside of Carcassonne! Do to a complicated series of flips he is now heading southbound through stage 2. It's great to see him and we catch up and share trail details.
I descent to the town of Modane as the sky becomes overcast. I take a French lunch before heading out for the Pointe de l'Observatoire par Aussois at 3015m(9891ft). The climb is insane and unrelenting for ~10km(6.2mi) to the Col de la Masse. Having done over 3000m(9842ft) of climbing already today I contemplate camping here and attempting Aussois tomorrow. I sit down for a snack break and admire the family of ibex that have gathered around.
The mountains are covered in mist but I anticipate that by the time I reach the summit the clouds would have moved. Not one to sit around I push for the final ascent. I first have to descent down to a refuge before a killer climb condensed into ~2.5km(1.5mi) brings me to the peak. Taking a snack break at the top I feel really strong having tackled another ~600m(1968ft) of climbing. On the descent I'm enveloped in clouds as I struggle to find a camp spot since a herd of cows had come through and shit everywhere.
As I pack up in the morning it starts to rain and I have a hell of time on the long descent to the valley floor. Once again a bit of steady rain floods the trail since there are no drainages. I get soaked and very unhappy as the rain doesn't let up. After only ~13km(8mi) I arrive at the town of Pralognan-la-Vanoise I decide to grab a hotel since I know the rain will be continuing all day tomorrow.
I can only find 200CAD a night rooms which is not ideal so I head to the tourist office to see if they can help me catch a bus to a cheaper locale. I get a bus schedule but also a recommendation to try a hotel that is a block away. I inquire there and the rooms are only 69EUR a night, a steal compared to what I was about to spend! I book two nights and spend the day drying out and relaxing.
Today is a zero day. I only go out to get food a few times as the rain continues to pour.
The rain has stopped but the fog hangs low in the valley as I ascend. I'm covered in tiny droplets of mist as I crest onto a ski hill. Up top the clouds part and reveal the gorgeous valley that I've been wandering through. The day is filled with a slow and steady climb to Tignes then a steady descent to Landry where I stay at a local campground.
