Stage 8: Prarayer – Rifugio Peruccah-Vuillermoz
9/9 We left the Rifugio at Prarayer at 8:10a in light low valley fog. We walked a short distance up the valley beyond Prarayer and then down to cross a bridge over the river leading into the lake. Once across we entered the forest and after a short distance the path reached a junction where trail number 12 goes left and number 13 goes right. We took trail number 12 which was also labeled number 3 in a triangle denoting that it is an alta via (high route) number 3. The trail took well- graded switchbacks up through the forest to the tree line where a newly constructed alpage was passed, and continued along an old track that headed up into the Comba di Valcournera. The Colle di Valcournera was soon visible high up on the left and a very obvious boulder with a painted sign marked the spot where we left the track and started up the steep slopes toward the Colle.
The path was steep, but well graded and we quickly gained altitude, especially on the section which was equipped with an easy via ferrata of rungs and chains. Soon we emerged from the valley fog and were treated to spectacular views back toward the lake and the Comba d’Oren that we descended the day before. After a long climb we reached a flat area where we took a well-deserved rest. From here we crossed a large boulder field which guarded the final steep slope up to the colle. As we climbed the last slope we stayed to the center right and finally topped out at the Colle di Valcournera (3066m – 10,059ft) (11:40a). The colle was marked with a wooden cross and here we sat and had a short snack. The Rifugio Perruccah was just below nestled next to the deep blue waters of the Lago del Dragone.
About noon we started our descent to the rifugio down the very steep east side of the colle. Several snowfields had to be crossed, but once past those the trail eased up and we were able to walk down a good track, bordered by large stones to reach the Rifugio Perrucca-Vuillermoz (2910m – 9547ft) (1:10p).
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- Katherine walking up the Comba di Valcournera
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- Looking back toward the Comba d’Oren
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- Katherine at the base of the via ferrata
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- The via ferrata leading up to the Colle di Valcournera
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- At the top of the via ferrata
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- The trail above the via ferrata
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- Katherine ascending toward the final slope up to the colle
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- Looking down the final slope from the Colle di Valcournera
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- The wooden cross that marks the Colle di Valcournera
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- Looking down the east side of the colle toward the Rifugio Paruccah-Valcournera
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- Starting down the east side of the Colle di Valcournera
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- Below the Colle di Valcournera (note the wooden cross in the background)
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- Katherine at the Rifugio Peruccah-Vuillermoz
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- Ibex on the rock near the Rifugio Peruccah-Vuillermoz
