We left the car in the parking lot of Bourg St Pierre. Anita suddenly realized that she hadn’t brought her own snowshoes! On closer inspection, she saw that they were set to size 48!!!

There were two possible solutions in our group: cut them off or adapt them! The snowshoe problem was quickly solved. Luckily, because it was already 14:30! – On to the ascent. We arrived at the hospice at 5 p.m., without using our headlamps, and successfully traversed the Combe des Morts.

The mass at 5.30 pm gave us the opportunity to thank God that we had arrived safely. The atmosphere in the hospice, which is cut off from traffic in winter, is unique. Where else can you see a movie made in 1936 about the place where you are?

The film showed avalanche rescue operations with the monks in their cassocks and the famous Bernardine dogs with their barrels of schnapps. With the images from the movie in mind and with the help of the avalanche map, the route for the next day was set.

And again there were two solutions: early to bed or solving puzzles in the lounge until late. Breakfast time at 8am sharp was taken very seriously: we heard the alarm clock over the loudspeaker at 7.30am. Really everyone was in the dining room at 8am, after it had been unlocked at 7:58am!There was about 25cm of fresh snow during the night. That’s why many people waited in front of the entrance until someone took over the tracks!

Once again we went through the Combe des Morts with poor visibility. The avalanche situation was very tense. At the turn-off, there were again two options: up to the Col du Barasson or a direct descent to the parking lot. We opted for the ascent and were rewarded by the sunshine. Instead of the col, our destination was finally a crossroads. Then it was a quick descent to the parking lot without any problems.