We spent our first week in Champoluc, about 1575 meters above sea level, northwest of Milan, and very near the Swiss border. This is the view from my little hotel room.

Things improved dramatically the next day. The high peaks were still in the clouds, but it was fine hiking weather. We took a local bus to Antagnod, climbed to Barmasc, and did a long traverse along the Rue de Cortot.

The little village of Antagnod, in the Valle d'Ayas.

The graveyard by the church in Antagnod.

Along the Rue de Cortot, with the Monte Rosa range in the clouds.

The high peaks offered only glimpses of themselves this day.

The clouds continued to tantalize us with the potential views.

More and more of the Monte Rosa range revealed itself.

Along the Rue de Cortot.

Along the Rue de Cortot.

A house in Mandriou.

We took a bus to St. Jacques, at the head of the valley, climbed about 300 meters to the Refugio Ferraro at Resy, traversed to the main trail up the center of the valley, and climbed to Lago Blue, at about 2200 meters.

On the trail to the Refugio Ferraro.

Looking back down the Valle d'Ayas from the Refugio Ferraro.

A high pasture just below Lago Blue.