GR5 – DAY 2, to CHÉSERY

DAY 2, LES CROTTES to CHÉSERY

Ascent: 925 m

Descent: 472 m

Distance: 17 km

Time on trail: 6:30 – 14:30

I woke up to the sound of rain drops. Damn, last night was so moist and cloudy bringing obviously bad weather. I wanted to stay in my tent but as it was just the second day, I put my rain gear on and hardened myself. The girls were still sleeping in their tent when I left the meadow.

After climbing couple of hours I reached a grassy shoulder of Mt.Grange and big-scale mountain scenery. According to the guidebook one could see even the Mt.Blanc massif but unfortunately the low clouds hid most of the view. I felt slightly desperate looking those big giants in very miserable weather, the hike felt at that moment as an awfully huge task.

I couldn’t take fotos as it was raining harder and harder. Paths became slippery and visibility dropped. I cursed navigating in the mist but fortunately the way to Chésery was not steep or dangerous. However, I soon gave up the idea of camping as everything was wet and closer to the refuge de Chésery snow covered the ground.

But I made it there and signed in to the refuge for the night. Owners didn’t speak english but I was able to make myself understood with the little German I know. I shared the evening with a family, a middle-aged couple and a group of five French ladies. The evening was long for me as no one really spoke english and it felt like the dinner would never be served. The dormitory was cold as a cellar but I went to sleep early, hoping for a better weather for the next day.