HAUTE ROUTE_2013
DAY 3: CHAMPEX (4810 FT) TO LE CHABLE (5974 FT)
(Stage 4)
We don’t usually pass up free breakfast, but due to fatigue and an early (9am) check-out requirement at the Pension En Plein Air, we slept in until 8am and picked up breakfast at a nearby bakery. Some British hikers on the Tour de Mont Blanc were surprised we did the Fenetre d’Arpette yesterday given the poor conditions. We bought some supplies for lunch at a grocery store, withdrew some cash at an ATM, enjoyed some juice and yogurt on a bench by Champex-Lac, and at 10:45am set off on a relatively easy day.
We hiked along the side of the valley through pastures and lush farmland, squeezed through narrow streets in the tiny village of La Garde (2953 ft), and arrived at the town of Sembrancher (2353 ft) at 1:15pm. After learning that all other restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores in town were closed, we settled on Les Trois Dranses, an Italian place, for our first restaurant meal of the Haute Route. The cold beer was relaxing, and the huge portions of fusilli all'amatriciana and chanterelle risotto were delicious and satisfying.
We hiked from Sembrancher to Le Chable in 1:30, precisely the posted time, and finished our hike for the day at 4:30pm. Hotel de la Poste, conveniently located right by the bridge, offered us a clean and spacious room with a sink. We did some laundry, showered, bought some groceries for the next day’s lunch at the supermarket (Migros) across the river, and enjoyed having time to relax before dinner.
Evette, the manager & chef at Hotel de la Poste, cheerfully let us use the hotel phone to call Cabane du Mont Fort to make a reservation for tomorrow night. For dinner, Evette whipped up some salad, pork stew with mushrooms, and steamed rice with veggies, which we ate with bread and water. The dinner was delicious and reasonably priced.
8 miles, 5.75 hours.