After a soaking-wet night we set off comparatively late and had a leisurely breakfast in the container. Not knowing what kind of day lay ahead of us, we did not let the somewhat subdued weather discourage us. We reached Trient almost dry and were even rewarded with a rainbow.
The weather changed quickly, however: after just under 2 kilometres the ascent from 1,298 to 2,200 metres began. Cold, wind and rain made themselves felt. It had been uncomfortably cold on the third stage too, especially above the treeline. But today it felt even colder.
We briefly sought shelter in a small hut and warmed up. After some initial difficulty in leaving the hut, there followed a short up and down with some elevation gain and a small scrambling passage, which would certainly have been fun in fine weather.
Our enjoyment of the tour waned, however, as we hiked along the ridge. Numerous steps and footholds promised an easier descent, but the muddy ground and the ice-cold rain made everything strenuous and unpleasant. By Tré-le-Champ my parents were soaked and chilled to the bone, and I was anything but dry myself.
We decided to walk to Montroc and take the train from there to Les Houches. There my parents were able to fetch dry clothes, and we spent the night at the Ibis hotel to warm up. The next day we were to drive back to Montroc, where the last 20 kilometres were waiting for us. But more on that later…
