We are in zermatt we made it! Today, we crossed seven high glaciers, three mountan cols and two Countries in approximate thirty KM journey. We are in a small guest house and are well rested and fed. We're heading back to Chamonix tomorrow by train.We started out at about 6.30 am from the Vignettes Hut under a blue cloudless sky (the forecast had got it wrong but in a good way for a change). At some stage during the night the high winds died down. Unfortunately, a couple of lads didn't make it to the hut and in the clear morning light they could be seen about 500 m away and 300 m up the glacier. The Air Glacier rescue helicopter was making brave efforts to get to them but the avalanche risk was high and the unlucky pair were in a terrible place. Hopefully they got down and without any cold injuries.
The move to the first col (Col L'Eveque) was difficult. With the temperatures down at -20C the skins wouldn't stick on Gerry's skies. They kept falling off giving him huge difficulty. I tried using gaffer tape but it just broke into pieces. Gerry eventually managed with some tape that was stored in the rucksack and two velcro straps. First prize for being cool under pressure. We eventually got to the coll and into the sun light and everything started working again! A great ski down into the Glacier D'Arolla valley and an amazing skin up the next valley with the Bouquitin Hut visible on the far side high up on the ridge. The Col de Tsa de Tsan looked inviting but the route went straight up the steep slope straight ahead.
The second col (Col Mount Brule at 3400 m) was indeed steep and difficult and we had to carry the skies on our ruck sacks. With the weight now almost 18Kg the altitude certainly kicked in! Again, the views were fantastic.
The third col (Col de Vapelline at 3800 m) required a long traverse across the glacier. Groups broke up into 2s and 3s and the heat took its toll. After 2 hours the tip of the Matterhorn came into view a great moment; leaving us just 14 Km to go. We passed the Finns and other groups on the climbs but their excellent skiing meant that they left us behind once the down hill sections came.
Some back slapping and a few nice pints of beer at the first cabane we came to and then a ski down to the town of Zermatt at 6pm in the evening.
The main objective now was to get somewhere to stay for the night.
Zermatt sits at the bottom of the Matterhorn and cars are not allowed. We nearly got run over by the little electric vans that act as taxis until we got used to them.
The Alpen Rose Hotel was the first hotel we called to and we were glad to find it was reasonably priced and had a restaurant.
The first shower after 6 days was just magic!
