Alps 2023

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Tuesday August 8, 2023
Aosta

Wednesday August 9, 2023
Val Ferret

Next
Thursday August 10, 2023
Mt Blanc

09:24 Alps time 01:24 California time

Leaving my hotel in Aosta.
The central section was recently refurbished and repainted.
The rest of the building - on both ends - is older and somewhat run down.

09:26 Alps time 01:26 California time

The main bus stop in Aosta.
It was challenging, but I was able to buy the bus ticket online.
(I couldn't enter the departure as Aosta, I had to select Milan or one of the cities near Milan)
I think I was the only person who bought their ticket online, there's a desk inside the station.

11:53 Alps time 03:53 California time
Skyway Monte Bianco

After the hour long busride I arrived at Skyway Monte Bianco to find out that the lift between Italy and France is closed today due to wind.
I found out that it was open yesterday.
The French run that lift, they decide each morning at 8am whether to open it or not.
The only way to purchase tickets for that lift is from the "cash desk" at the entrance to the lift on either side.

I was delayed. I started wandering up the street looking for a hotel within walking distance of the Skyway.
Two different hotels said no before the only place on booking.com, Hotel Astoria said "yes, 249 euros" when I walked up, an absurd amount, they were asking 199 a night on booking.com (still an absurd amount) until I became a last second arrival.
Since my only other choices would be an 8am bus ride from Courmeyer to Skyway Monte Bianco instead of a 6am walk from Entreves, I paid.

12:01 Alps time 04:01 California time

12:01 Alps time 04:01 California time

PANO - scroll right

12:31 Alps time 04:31 California time

Hotel Astoria Entreves Italy

12:32 Alps time 04:32 California time

View from my room at Hotel Astoria Entreves Italy

Then I walked the half kilometer back downhill to hotel Shatush Mont Blanc in front of Skyway Monte Bianco to rent an ebike, only to find they were closed until 2pm....(Italy).
So I hoofed it back up hill to catch a packed bus full of hikers instead and was soon on the free bus up Val Ferret.
A few minutes later, I was at the end of the bus line in the trees, and I started wandering, following my gps and instinct.

13:27 Alps time 05:27 California time

Planpincieux glacier, a "temperate" (melting) glacier which is unstable, moving, and has caused evacuations in recent years.
There are few or no trails directly below it.

13:27 Alps time 05:27 California time

Planpincieux glacier

15:59 Alps time 07:59 California time

Planpincieux glacier

16:22 Alps time 08:22 California time

Hotel Astoria

Dusty: it's backed up for at least a km to get into France

16:35 Alps time 08:35 California time

17:04 Europe time 08:04 California time
Dusty: There were 3 cops, 1 of them occasionally directing traffic, standing around at the intersection below me since i got back

17:50 Europe time 08:50 California time
Dusty: Twice in the last hour the cop car has turned on its lights and sirens and sped up the WRONG lane of traffic towards the border...
Dusty: best guess is that's how they take away anyone they're not allowing across the border???? (Cops are stationed at this intersection)

18:42 Europe time 09:42 California time
Dusty: Now a total of 4 cop cars went up the wrong lane
Dusty: Someone is having a bad day.

18:59 Europe time 09:59 California time
Kent: Did you go to the archaeology museum in Aosta? It's very windy here
Kent: Hopefully, it settles down a bit by 3a tomorrow

19:27 Europe time 10:27 California time
Dusty: I believe i went everywhere in Aosta
Dusty: Loved the old town, museum was nice but I'm spoiled and have seen many more interesting Roman museums (about all of them, honestly)
Dusty: Ruins were nice
Dusty: Enjoyed my stay, a full day was plenty
Dusty: Same for Entreves / Val Verret.

17:37 Alps time 09:37 California time
Since there were no shops selling beer or anything else within walking distance, I bought a couple to go from La Palud.

18:51 Alps time 10:51 California time

The Funavie used to be in this empty spot, right in front of Hotel Astoria.
This place is dead now.

18:53 Alps time 10:53 California time

The Funavie used to be in this empty spot, right in front of Hotel Astoria.
I waited until Michelin rated Enoteca l'Armadillo opened at 7pm to see if they could seat me, they could not.
I walked down to La Palud, it was packed, I was happy to get seated.

19:33 Alps time 11:33 California time

La Palud

Taglietelle with porcini mushrooms

19:49 Alps time 11:49 California time

Sea bass fillet with spring salad and pine nuts, raisins

20:11 Alps time 12:11 California time

20:22 Alps time 12:22 California time

Later while surfing on my iphone I purchased the last of 35 reservations for the first lift up tomorrow morning at 630am.

Meanwhile, Kent was hiking up to the Dom hut: