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| High in the Mello Valley |
We had a very pleasant say in the Otztal - Austria, plenty of rambling and enough climbing to keep me happy, great accommodation and very reasonable weather. Then it was time to head for the Mello Valley in Italy via a corner of Switzerland - for which we didn't need to buy a motorway vignette - so that was a small win. We stopped in Mello for eight days, as once again the day we had slated for travelling was forecast to be grim. We climbed on the gorgeous granite (three days) and did an excellent hike up to the high settlements, plus we befriended a couple of local cats which is always a plus.
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| L'Ecale (6a) at Sollieres |
After Mello we moved to Aussois in the Maurienne for a week, another place we really like, as it is always so quiet. At 4,900' the nights were cold, but the days were generally lovely, again a pleasant mix of climbing and hiking. I'm sure we will be back again next spring.
Then back through the Frejus Tunnel (€60 for a return trip and no queueing this time) and back to the Briançon area for ten days. We are stopping close to the minor crag of Chambon high above the Durance Valley, it looks like another quiet and cool spot.
