The morning view from the hotel bedroom in Les Houches on the first day of our adventure

A short walk up the road took us to the téléférique up to Bellevue avoiding a tedious climb of 800 metres

The map of the area

Our band of brothers - just look at the clean boots!

A look back down to Les Houches and beyond lies Chamonix

Mountains which would feature again on the last leg of the journey

Turning our backs on Les Houches we set off, the green TMB logo which would become familiar is visible on the sign.

As it was such a beautiful day we decided to go on the more difficult variant via Chalet de Miage which is dominated by the Dôme de Goûter and Aiguille de Bionnassay, passing beneath the snout of the Glacier de Bionnassay.

Before too long we had to negotiate this bridge

The Glacier de Bionnassay

In the glorious weather there was a carnival atmosphere at the 2120m Col de Tricot

After a steep 600m descent we approach the Refuge de Miage and a welcome cold beer!

The Dôme de Miage looms at the head of the valley

Even this dog is pressed into service!

After a climb up from the valley we reach Auberge du Truc

The Auberge with the impressive Dôme du Miage looming behind

The descent to Les Contamines

An old farm B&B on the way down

... and so to the bar for a 'pint' of lager to cool us down at the end of day one