August 22nd Outside Village du Soleil-Briançon Daily Mileage: 6.8mi/11km Approx Total Mileage: 208.1mi/335km This will be short because I took a nero day today and chilled. I got going at 7:30am for the 7mi/11km walk to Briançon. First I walked through the historic...

August 21st Col des Thures/Lac Chavillon-outside Village du Soleil Daily Mileage: 16.2mi/26km Approx Total Mileage: 201.3mi/324km Campsite Elevation: 6278ft/1914m It was a cold, but good night of sleep. I started off with my gloves and beanie on as I dipped into a...

August 20th La Perriére-Col des Thures/Lac Chavillon Daily Mileage: 19.3mi/31km Approx Total Mileage: 185.1mi/297.9km Campsite Elevation: 7224ft/2202m As I suspected might happen, I had a ton of condensation droplets on the ceiling of my tent this morning. Oh the fun...

August 19th Refuge du Col de la Vanoise-La Perriére Daily Mileage: 21.1mi/34km Approx Total Mileage: 165.8mi/266.9km Campsite Elevation: 5462ft/1665m No one snored last night! It was the quietest dozen of sleepers ever, whew! However, I was awake seemingly every hour....

August 18th Lac de la Plagne-Refuge du Col de la Vanoise Daily Mileage: 19.9mi/32km Approx Total Mileage: 144.7mi/232.9km Campsite Elevation: 8258ft/2517m I didn't get a ton of sleep as my body just couldn't get comfortable. The camp spot was great, but I was just...

August 17th Below Col du Bresson-Lac de la Plagne Daily Mileage: 26.7mi/43km Approx Total Mileage: 124.8mi/200.8km Campsite Elevation: 7161ft/2183m I woke up about an hour earlier than necessary, but had some studying to do anyway for the upcoming section. I didn't...

August 16th Near Chalets du Truc-Below Col du Bresson Daily Mileage: 22.4mi/36km Approx Total Mileage: 98.1mi/157.8km Campsite Elevation: 7183ft/2189m It did rain some overnight. Probably a few hours total on and off with about an hour or so of fairly heavy rain. I...

August 15th Le Brévent/Chamonix-Near Chalets du Truc Daily Mileage: 16.2mi/26km Approx Total Mileage: 75.7mi/121.8km Campsite Elevation: 5548ft/1691m I slept just ok at the hostel in a room with three others. I definitely need to catch up on some sleep after three...

August 14th Chamonix, France As I mentioned yesterday, we woke up early to get in line to go up to L'Aiguille du Midi. We were up at 5:15am and in line by 6am. This cable car and gondola ride up to a great view of Mt Blanc is so popular that reservations are taken the...

August 13th Port d'Arlevé-Le Brévent/Chamonix Daily Mileage: 3.1mi/5km Approx Total Mileage: 59.5mi/95.8km Today was was the big day I got to see Mt Blanc, go to Chamonix, and meet up with my friends I planned to spend two days with. I was nice and cozy last night,...

August 12th Chaux Palin-Port d'Arlevé Daily Mileage: 30.8mi/49.5km Approx Total Mileage: 56.4mi/90.8km Campsite Elevation: 5240ft/1597m I got up early to make-up the missed miles from my zero yesterday. Normally, I wouldn't feel a need to do that, but I am on a...

August 11th Chaux Palin Daily Mileage: 0 Approx Total Mileage: 25.6mi/41.2km Campsite Elevation: 6047ft/1843m Welp, a zero it was. I slept in till 9am and could hear the cold rain coming down. I was oh so cozy with my sleeping pad (Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Women's Xlite)...

August 10th La Chapelle D'Abondance-Chaux Palin Daily Mileage: 14.6mi/23.5km Approx Total Mileage: 25.6mi/41.2km Campsite Elevation: 6047ft/1843m As expected, today was a dreary day. There were four other men from France at the gite I stayed at last night that are...

August 9th St Gingolph-La Chapelle D'Abondance Mileage: 11mi/18km I was up early at 5:15am to ensure that I got to my train on time to the start of the trail. I took public transit to the Geneva train station, and from there it is a 2hr train ride to the start of the...

I had a two day transition from the Haute Route Pyrenees to the GR5 in the French Alps. Before I left Banyuls-sur-Mer, I went to the post office and was reunited with my pot! Those of you following know I accidentally left it a shelter a couple weeks ago. Why Not and...