Pete's Blog - Week 5(a)
It was with some regret that we left the Valle Stretta and headed back into 'France' by way of the Col des Thures ( 2194m ). We left through a little side valley that went up steeply through a pine wood. The weather had now turned warm and the forecast was good. The trail flattened out into open pasture and as we reached the col, we looked back to I Re Magi marking the Italian border. It was here that we first recognised the Arolle or Swiss Stone pine. It has a strong aromatic smell and deep roots that allow it to grow on almost vertical slopes. The scenery changed dramatically as we descended towards Névache
( 1643m ). To start with there were beautiful 'rock gardens' but the dry river valley and eroded slopes soon told us that we had left the colder and wetter northern Alps behind. As we contoured around Névache we could see below us long piles of stones (clapiers) surrounding the fields. These were built by women and children moving the stones out of the fields. We had our first restaurant lunch in the town ( seafood salad ) and felt very decadent! Next day we decided to take a variant route ( GR5C ) to Briançon which would take in the exposed ridge walk over the Crête de Peyrolle. Cont - 5b