Stage 9: On a Hill Far Away

Le Sage to Cabane de Moiry

Sunday, July 14

"There is more to life than increasing its speed" Gandhi

We set out at about 5:45am, from our Hotel in Le Sage, Switzerland, on Sunday. We hiked up through the forests, villages, and pastures.  At the top of one of the hills, there was a cross, which was a great representation of our hike and our faith. We continue to hike up the hill always at a steep climb. The view was spectacular, but the trek was brutal.  Imagine getting up early everyday, put 40 pounds on your back, and getting on a stair-step machine... For 5 hours.  Then, go down stairs with the weight grinding your knees for another 5 hours.  That is essentially what we've done everyday.  It's tiring!

After pushing through the pasture, next to the 1st cross and a village, we came to a double cow barn type building.  Next to it was a tarn, a small glacier fed pond, and we climbed up to another basin with a larger tarn, which casted amazing reflections of the summits beyond.  Over looking the barns below, was another cross, maybe representing what we were to bare up this mountain.

Then we continued a rocky climb to the next basin, which led to the upward valley of Col du Tsate.  At the top of this false col, a small crucifix greeted us as we passed by.  All 3 crosses during the day, had reminded me of God's constant presence with and in us. 

"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalms 23:2-3

While resting next to the crucifix, a young couple from Finland passed our way.  Their names are Laura  and Alexander and I took a picture of them, because of the precarious nature of trail comrades that come and go.

Our trail veered to the left, where we would walk up the side of the ever steepening mountain pass path.  The guidance of the guidebook is helpful, but for step by step direction, we rely on signposts and waymarks, usually a yellow diamond outlined in black or a white and red flag.

I went ahead of Dad and attacked the near vertical snow and slate route with vigor, stopping frequently to catch my breath. 

At the top, I teased Rick and Ann about being slow that day, cheered my dad on, and welcomed a new couple from Malta, Andrew and Mariella.  Marcus and Markella also joined us.  After missing our Israeli friends, who were still a day ahead of us, not knowing if we would see them again, I took advantage of the opportunity and organized a group picture.

Anne and some French day hikers

Our new Maltese friends, Mairella and 

Andrew

Back: Andrew, Rick, Anne, Hans, Bob

Front: Mariella, Markella, Marcus

After everyone rested at the top of the col (mountain pass), each of us took turns advancing down the snow covered mountain side.  Some did it with delicate steps, some with skiing like speed, and others like a sled with their backside.  Whichever, we chose, it was fun and fast!  

The slope led us to grassy, marsh like meadows, with streams of ice-cold glacier water, with which we gladly filled our bottles with, knowing that cattle and the possibility of harmful bacteria were further downstream.  

As we continued at a steady pace, the faster hikers moved ahead, while my dad, Markella, and I kept to a slower trot.  The valley below led up to the largest glacier we had seen so far, Glaicer de Moriy.

The melt from this huge beast drained into streams and ponds. The jade-light-blue water collected didn't seem real, until we reached the bottom, and I put my hand in it.  Even from the bottom of the valley, you could see Cabane de Moriy overlooking the glacial mammoth inhabiting the upper valley.  

Following a short snack of breakfast bread with Marcus, we started the ascent through the Val de Moriy.  The dusty trail turned rocky, and then descended to a snowy trek, gaining in sheer slant. One intimidating snow drift was so dangerous, a rope was placed along side the slippery slope, to prevent anyone of experiencing it's consequences. 

The trail turned to unending, steep switchbacks. Hiking up this back and forth trail finally led to Cabane de Moiry.  I walked out onto a deck lined with picnic tables, other hikers, skiers, mountaineers, and tourists, enjoying the alpine sun with beers, crapes, and other refreshments.  It looked like a ski resort for rich people, but people who were able to combat the danger of the steep trail.  I ordered a beer and found our friends Rick, Anne, Marcus, and our Maltese friends, Andrew and Mariella already relaxing after the long hike.  

My dad and I have developed a routine for when we arrive to our hiking destination:

1. Find a place to sleep

2. Pay right away

3. Get a stamp for our journals

4. Get the wifi password 

5. Take a shower

So, after my dad climbed up 40 minutes later, that's what we did.  The Cabane de Moriy had an old cabin with a new, modern addition connected by an enclosed walkway.  This was the most impressive Hutte we had seen.  The cabin and it's large porch overlooked the gigantic glacier and the mountains surrounding it. It was massive, yet so far away it seemed unreal.  

After hanging out outside, all guests gathered inside, eager to have dinner.  Markella arranged for many of the "Haute Routers" to sit together for dinner. We also met a new young couple from Norway.  I forgot their names.  We also sat new to an older couple from the Netherlands and had a nice conversation over dinner with them.  The dinner was a carrot soup, with a salad, and the main course was curried pork on a bed of couscous and chick peas.  The dessert was a cinnamon yogurt that was surprisingly good.  

Afterwards, we said goodnight and slept soundly in a dorm of about 6 other people.