Interestingly enough, the pines here turn golden and drop a carpet of fine needles as I hike the Italian Valley across from Mt. Blanc. Rocks and logs on stream crossings have a lacing of ice as I cautiously pick my way across. I see no one else on my hike except perhaps a runner...but he disappears! (This may be a hallucinogenic side affect from my malaria pills, which I seriously consider quitting early!)
The next day, clouds wrap themselves around the Matterhorn as I hike up a ski road in 20 degree temps. Beautiful mountain, but the hike near Mt. Blanc was more pleasant! Those arms of clouds unwrap themselves to show the beautiful peak as the bus makes its way back down the mountain to Aosta where I am staying.
