8/19 Refuge du Palet to Refuge de la Leisse

Mercifully quiet night in the top bunk with the baby below. Up early a bit before 6 I finally headed down and out camera in hand. I walked back up to the pass and above for sunrise colors and photographic excitement and I. wasn't disappointed. Back down for breakfast then off we went back up and over the pass. Down then in the still warming direct sun. About 20 minutes down there was a beautiful blue green lake and the mountain backdrop is superb. There is varied geology here with dolomite interspersed with gneiss of different shades. Going down the towns below reminding hidden until finally across a ridge they magically appear - these chic modern ski towns in the high mountains. The GR 55 branched here and drops into Val Claree which we followed. There was a lot of human activity below. We passed beautiful clusters of fireweed before reaching town and the footrace. It was the mt Casse ultra run - 30+ miles and 12600 feet of elevation change over several high passes. We were dodging runners the rest of the day.
In town we bought supplies - bread, fruit and electrolyte drink which really re energized me.
We left town a bit about 10:30 immediately claiming towards the pass underneath a ski lift. Hot as we paced upwards finally catching cooling breezes through the stark landscape. Leveling out somewhat behind us Mont Blanc made a distant hazy appearance. passed 8000 ft still went on through more interesting rocks and once again wildflowers. We reached the Col de la Liesse & 9400ft in about 2 hours and say down for lunch - sausage/ cheese / mustard sandwiches. But a peach with chocolate for desert. Now we headed down and before long the pastel glacial pond far below the skiers on the glacier comes into view. The water felt warm when we reached it. Down further a huge bake basin was reached- emptied we found out just a week before. The dam to be removed. There remained a turquoise blue apparently deep pool near but below the GR. 15 minutes on the Refuge de la Leisse was reached - beautifully situated overlooking the braided stream in the green valley below - hanging glacier in several places above. We washed up , hung our laundry and relaxed / rehydrated. As a way station for drinks and food for the race, it was a busy place. Finally there was a helicopter extraction of an ill racer which was guide a show. Several walkers from the previous nights hut were here as well making for a lively dinner. Dark clouds rolled in and rained threatened. With quiet lightning over the mountains the night could be interesting !. Unfortunately my phone died mid day so my photo selection for the blog is limited.