Our route for today was to take us over the Collette di Finestra ((2474m) down to Refuge Madone de Fenestre, from there over Pas du Mont Colomb (2548m) to La Barme (2173m) and Refuge di Nice (2232m).
Lovely room with a high level double bed and two bunks, to ourselves in Rifugio Soria-Ellena. The route up the valley towards Collette di Finestra (2471m) initially followed a broad track then zig zagged on a stone built track (that are characteristic of the Alpi Marittime) up to some deserted military barracks at the col.
Looking back towards Col de Fenetre from Lac de Fenetre |
Approaching Pas de Mont Colomb with the gendame in the middle. |
The ascent to Pas de Mont Colomb was spectacular. We crossed several streams that the guide books describe as dry and the little lake was full. The path crosses a couple of rocky scrambling sections requiring hands and also large boulder scree. This is a very popular area with walkers and we were seeing a lot more people than in Italy.
The col is narrow and tight with a gendame and the descent is very steep on the eastern side. It took about an hour to La Barme then an easy 20min walk up the valley to Refuge de Nice. This is a large modern and rather cold refuge, everyone was wearing their fleeces and coats indoors. It rained for the final 10 min of the approach and continued heavily that evening keeping everyone indoors.
Ascent 1228m
Descent 838m
Pas de Mont Colomb |
Pas de Mont Colomb |
looking back at Pas de Mont Colomb |
Lac de la Fous and Refuge de Nice in the distance. Sorry about the legs |
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