"Hi guys, sorry, I was out having fun . . "
The snow ceased & we felt the sun’s warmth – now for crossing the rubble strewn Glacier de Chelion.
Ian stopped to survey the scene –
“Do not run around here! Got it, Zen”
“Got it, Ian”
He put me on the lead, probably fearing I didn’t hear.
Definitely no Ibex or marmots here so I wasn’t sure why, until he showed me this -
"It was quite deep! Who knows what’s hidden beneath the snow "
“Do not lose the path here! Got it, Ian”
“Got it, Zen”
So good to have a dog that can sniff out the red and white flashes.
I await the next installment to find out about the ladder climbing abilities of the dog on the way to reach Arolla.
"Ian, at least someone recognises my talents.
I have never been so pleased to see red spot in front of my eyes."
Leap of faith challenge for both us -
Passed – My treat was to be off the lead.
Ian confessed, being with me gave him a good excuse to avoid the daunting vertical ladders at Pas de Chevres.
though, that was before we set off towards Col de Riedmatten (2919m).
“Bouldering is fun as well as mentally & physically challenging.
I’m becoming quite adept at it and can usually follow the route, but here there was no distinguishable path up through the boulder field – Chaos - it was as if they had recently fallen here, rocking all ways, even with my weight – I feared for Ian as any red spots were hidden.
Above the rocks I raced ahead up the super steep muddy slope to the col with ease. Not so Ian.
I waited & watched from above – with encouraging eyes, hiding my concerned frown -
He repeatedly slipped, digging in for grip, grabbing rocks, only for them to lift out of the loose wet earth. Scrambling for life, he reached & grasped the red & white chains.
He found the strength and hauled himself up to join me, both relieved.
I had thought about going back to pull him, but . . .
“Sometimes you have to face your own challenges, Ian”
He took this photo, but strangely not the one looking down the path we’d come – Maybe he didn’t want that memory.
Ian didn’t fancy hanging around the narrow col. As the snow began to fall we descended on an easy gently path.
Without warning Ian suddenly stopped and froze – the snowflakes were floating down – the silence was breath-taking – we stood transfixed in mid path, mid valley, in the middle of nowhere special, yet the serenity was magical . . in the space of a few minutes the snowflakes melted away just around us and were bathed in sunshine – we were alone yet with each other.
Soon we could see Arolla below, so Ian decided to take a more direct path until –
Do cows have horns or just bulls, Zen?
“Not sure, I’ll wait here while you find out, Ian?”
“Nrr, not today, Zen”
We back tracked & found another way.
There’s a restaurant somewhere behind those flowers –
I did my best to wee against all the flowers pots, almost knocking over a few to Ian’s embarrassment.
April, at the camp site was lovely – even better, she had a new package for me “Yeah”
Ian, eagerly ripped it open, only to discover it had food just for me – “Yeah”
“Pobre Ian” – It had been an emotional day – We celebrated together with the rosti left overs & a visit to the local pub until late –
just as well tomorrow will be a half day, but no less special.