19 Jul   Map of Aiguille du Midi  19 Jul
  Tour Mt Blanc  
Miage to La Balme   21 Jul  21 Jul 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The start of the TMB
20 Jul 2004
The start of the TMB    20 Jul 2004
  Tour Mt Blanc, France   
 
 
 
 
 

Our first day on the trail was spent hiking to Refuge Miage, not to be mistaken for the nearby village of Miage. Refuge Miage ended up at bottom of our ranking of TMB accommodations. The building was run down; the bedroom but a long bunk in a group room; the food mediocre; and the hot water iffy. At least they had plenty of wine.

The hike was long but not hard. Weather varied, some rain, but overall it was comfortable. We quickly found ourselves encountering friendly hikers from all over the world. And we would encounter the same people repeatedly. We'd pass them then later they would pass us. Repeat and repeat.

 
 
 
 
Linda and Emily near Miage  
 
 
 
 
Linda and Emily near Miage  
 
 
 
 
Linda and Emily near Miage  
 
 
 
Miage view  
 
 
 
 
Miage view  
 
 
 
 
Miage view  
 
 
 
Refuge Miage, France  
 
 
 
 
Refuge Miage, France  
 
 
 
 
Refuge Miage, France  
 
 
 
View from Miage  
 
 
 
 
View from Miage  
 
 
 
 
View from Miage  
 
 
 
Refuge Miage, France  
 
The places we stayed along the Tour du Mont Blanc hike varied, from very nice to sub optimal. Refuge Miage was the latter.
 
 
 
 
Refuge Miage, France  
 
The places we stayed along the Tour du Mont Blanc hike varied, from very nice to sub optimal. Refuge Miage was the latter.
 
 
 
 
Refuge Miage, France  
 
The places we stayed along the Tour du Mont Blanc hike varied, from very nice to sub optimal. Refuge Miage was the latter.
 
 
 
Emily, Linda, and Regina  
 
 
 
 
Emily, Linda, and Regina  
 
 
 
 
Emily, Linda, and Regina  
 
 
 
 19 Jul   Map of Aiguille du Midi  19 Jul
  Tour Mt Blanc  
Miage to La Balme   21 Jul  21 Jul