La Grave (1450 m.)
Glaciers are unusual and precious, hiking near one is a disappearing treat. You soon adapt to the gentle roar of the melt water, then the interruptions by the thunder of small avalanches as the sun heats the ice block. The cool wind is a welcome counter to the strong sunlight here at 2600 m. and more. Not much water so the flowers are sparse and small.
This was a hike to get close to the glaciers of La Meije, up from the village of La Grave (1450 m.). I took the path to Brèche de Pacave from the téléphériques interchange station at 2409 m., it’s a less-popular path, much loose rock and hopping between small boulders, but the marking was consistent and the climb persistent, the cool air coming off the glaciers countering the strong sun.
La Meije (3983 m.)
