Tour Du Mont Blanc Day 6: Refugio Bonatti to La Fouly

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• Signs to follow: Grand Col Ferret
• Elevation: +3000/-4000 ft
• Distance: 12.4mi
• Beer/Lunch: Refugio Elena is about an hour downhill after the Col and maybe 7 miles in.
• Camp Here: Camping Des Glaciers
• Cost: $8/person

This is mainly along a wooded trail.  Seeing as it was raining and it felt and looked like Portland I didn't take any pictures.

• Elevation: +1400/-2000 ft
• Distance: 9.3mi
• Beer/Lunch: You pass through a little town about 4.5 miles in.  We had some pizza at Cafe Le Portalet.
• Camp Here: Camping Les Rocailles
• Cost: It says $8 on their website but that's per person PLUS $19 for a tent.  Kinda a rip in my opinion.

This is an alternative route and much harder than the normal route.  I highly suggest it - I was really against extending anything but it was worth it in the long run.  Your only excuse not to do this should be weather-related or if you are afraid of heights.  I'm a little scared of heights so I had to take it slow at the top - only a couple panicked moments.

• Follow signs for: Arpette, Col de la Forclaz
• Elevation: +3800/-3800 ft
• Distance: 10.5i
• Lunch: bring a lunch and eat it in the clouds.
• Camp Here: Camping Hotel Forclaz
• Cost: $8/person

From Col de Balme, you can head straight down or go up around the ridge to the right.  I'd recommend going to the right along the ledge for the views.  The picture below is on this alternate route and worth it.

• Follow signs for: Col de Balme, L'Aiguilette des posettes
• Elevation: +3000/-3000
• Distance: 10mi
• Lunch: Refuge Col de la Balme - this is the border between Switzerland and France
• Camping: We stayed across the street from Auberge La Boerne which is the first thing you see when you get to Tre Le Champ.  If this is full you can take a bus to Argentiere and camp here.
• Cost: Camping isn't posted on their website and I can't remember.  

 This day is relatively shorter but there are ladders on the side of a cliff so it's not exactly easier.  But you have to see Lac Blanc it's the Lake of the Trek's namesake.

• Follow signs for: Lac Blanc, Plan Praz
• Elevation: +4400/-2400
• Distance: 7.7mi
• Lunch: Refuge du Lac Blanc
• Camp here: I don't think there's much for camping along this route.  There is a ski lift from Plan Praz down into Chamonix where you can easily get a hotel or camp here for the night.  Take the Plan Praz lift right back up to where you came from to finish tomorrow.

•  Elevation: +2000/-5000
•  Distance: 10.5mi

The Contamines arrow is probably inaccurate but this picture shows a good portion of the trek.