Monday, July 16
Wrong choice again!
Well we took 70 people on a 3 day hike on the famous Plateau d’ Emparis. 
This hike is part of the “most scenic hike in
I decided to sleep under the stars, as we didn’t have enough tents and cause I hadn’t done it in a while. I decided that, since I’d been too hot in my winter bag last week, I’d take my summer bag…wrong choice!
The walking was excellent, slightly uphill for a couple of hours and then a 40min steep pinch to get to the flat camp spot, on a superb green plateau with flowers and a river. We had some dinner, sang some songs, played some Frisbee and hit the sack.
As I was getting my mat out I noticed ice on it… the rest of the night was pretty cold, esp cause there was ice on my pack, which I was using as a pillow…
I did get some [cold] sleep and got up at 7:45 for a “solo” time (everyone has something to eat then heads out alone for a few hours). It’s a great spot to do this, as there aren’t any cliffs nearby. At lunchtime we all came back together. it’s amazing that I didn’t really see anyone for 4 hours that morning (only at a distance), considering there was 70+ people out there…
We walked to the next camp spot, a lake on the edge of the plateau, across from La Meije, one of the most beautiful peaks in
After a bit of food (we only had a small pack of dehydrated chicken-curry rice each) we sang more songs, 
played some games, chatted and watched the sunset. I woke up the next morning B4 sunrise and just admired the mountain changing colour. It was amazing and, due to warmer temperatures, I was toasty all night!
We all got back to camp (after various car shuffles, due to the diesel van being filled with premium and Tom’s van not starting) 
and enjoyed a luscious meal more than ever before. It’s amazing how the lack of “normal” comforts such as a bed, a pillow, a hot shower, a sit-on toilet and a big-hot meal make you appreciative once you have access to them again…
