The Hurners in France: August 2011

So our tour of the glaciers of the Alps started in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, which I'd visited 20 years ago as a nanny for a French family's vacation with their three young children. I had great memories of the ski trip and fun interaction with the family....they played Scrabble with me in French, made sure I had a chance to ski, and shared a special raclette dinner with their local friends toasting to the Americans for the end of our first war in Iraq.

Alas, I was back with the family and embarking on a crazy adventure. Truth be told, we had NO CLUE what we were getting ourselves into. The first day involved an extreme climb of "Col d'Aussois." Mary surprised us by leading the family up the steepest section. As she said, "You don't need to know where the path is, you just need to know which direction you're going." The hiking was very up and down....little level walking, and the last bit to the "Refuge de la Dent Parrachée" followed a waterfall straight up. Thankfully, there was rice with cooked tomatoes, pork, and a gorgeous homemade Tarte Tatin awaiting us after our hardest day of hiking. The animated host of the refuge offered us the "guide" room instead of a spot for a tent (which is what we'd reserved). This also meant privacy which is not typical of the many "refuges" in the area. Of the three we visited, this was the best refuge, complete with warm croissants in the morning. Our table included 4 Germans, a French couple, and the Hurners.

The photos will tell the rest of the story. No other refuge compared to the first, though we did meet Australians and a Kiwi along the way. The sheepdog picture is for Casey.