We have, alas, pretty well come to the end of our time. We have one more "night up" available, and decide to camp out, since it was fun last time and the Wx looks good. This discards the "Pelvoux" plan, but that was but a sketch, and anyway we feel like something lighter: we're... well, we feel like we've worked, let us say. We might go to the Lac de la Muzelle, but that's a longish drive, so instead opt for the Col d'Arsine, which dovetails nicely with what we've done already: we've looked down on it often enough.
GPS trace: Le Casset up to camp at col d'Arsine.
But before that, there's time to admire the sun rising over The Hill again; this time I notice there's a line of three "holes" just L of the sun.
Before it gets too hot E and I go for a little walk, down to the valley then out, past the Chalet des Trolls
which is still beautifully situated, but if anything I now prefer our current place. But C-des-T would accommodate more people. Walk along the river a ways, to a bridge, then back. Find a house with beehives in it's attic. Talk of houses and things we remember from last time. To the weekly market.
pm: drive round via Briancon to Monetier then Le Casset, park - in shade! - and walk into the village; find a cafe by a bridge and the church, and an odd totem-pole which I think I remember.
If that looks oddly deserted, recall that it is hot, and anyone wiht any sense is hiding in the cool shade of the cafe. After a few rounds and drink, we go a bit further into the village, over the next bridge which is the right bridge, and up into the forests. since it is now lateish pm, we "bonjour" a stream of people coming down. I recall my trip through here a few years back, and so don't take many pix this time. Here's D+E walking up, and resting at the Lac de la Douche. And so up the steep but good scree path, and then the long pleasant uphill by the side of the stream, past the berger's cabane, and a little bit higher to nearly the col, while it is still light.
Find a nice spot, on our own; there are a few others lower down. Settle down: elect to put up tent, even though Wx fine, since there's a breeze. Make porridge, despite me forgetting the spoons - and quite a bit else - the cap from the gas cylinder works as a spoon; stir in some trail mix.
A few more rounds of cards; reading; the light fades; good night. Smilier D.
Friday
Sleep well. tent is fine for the three of us. Up ~7 just as the sun is getting onto us - should we have camped actually at the col, to get the light earlier? B'fast porridge &c, pack up tent fairly promptly and head up to the two lakes, a little higher, via an obscure path. And so to the lakes. There's a curious man-made channel connecting them, which we ponder briefly. Stare up at the surrounding cirque and work out where we've been. Then head down back to path and packs. Pic: possibly pic de Neige Cordier; certainly, the moon. Context.
D and E will go on, to Villar d'Arene; I go back to the car and go round to pick them up. Stroll back in no great hurry; enjoy peace and solitude. Pic: to Agneaux.
The merry stream, and a trail of sheep.
Just below le lac, looking up N to le glacier du Casset, on the Agneaux.
Drive to Villar d'Arene is further than I thought, but I get there a little before D+E. It's a pleasant place, perhaps somewhat faded, I make the mistake of driving into it but get away with it, just.
Sit down in a cafe in the main square and await D+E, who arrive; and we return. D is exhausted.
Late pm: I drive up to Ailefroide just to find some climbs; see GPS trace. I do find them; see pix starting around here. Next time, we must do valley climbing more seriously.
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