Haute
Route
Day 7 Dix Hut to Cabane du Vignettes map
Our
sixth day on the Haute Route is one of the tour's high points in more
ways than one. We climb to the highest point of the Haute Route on this
day, the summit of the Pigne d'Arolla. The summit of this mountain provides
outstanding views and all directions and at 3,796 meters seems to tower
the above the little town of Arolla to the north. From the summit we
have a great ski run down its southeast slopes arriving at the spectacular
Cabane du Vignettes. This hut is quite literally built right on the
side of a mountain. Be careful going to the outhouse! The hut has great
views of Petit Mont Collon, the Otemma Glacier and the mountains on
the Italian border. From here we can get a good look at the start of
our route to Zermatt which forms the last day of our tour.
Day 8 Cabane du Vignettes to Zermatt maps
This
stage is definitely a challenging day and is a fitting climax to the
trip as it passes right beneath the Matterhorn on its finish into Zermatt.
We traverse across three cols on our final day all while in the middle
of quite outstanding scenery. Along the way we even manage to pass across
a small part of Italy. From the top of the last col begins a fabulous
downhill run beginning on the Stockji Glacier and leading into Zermatt.
It's quite awe inspiring throughout this entire run to be looking up
at the Matterhorn which must surely rank as one of the most beautiful
mountains in the world. It's a little difficult to have such an incredible
tour come to an end but arriving in Zermatt is a great way to end it.
It's a beautiful town with narrow streets, (no automobiles) picturesque
Swiss chalets and hotels all nestled under the majestic north faces
of the Matterhorn and the Monte Rosa. A great ending to a great ski
tour!
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