Another view of Monviso in the distance walking up to Bric Cassin, on the harmless crest

The view from Passo della Gardetta towards Piano della Gardetta

Climbing to Passo della Gardetta at 2440m. We left in the sunshine after a lovely breakfast and a warm good-bye from Fabrizio and Angela, the perfect cook. The climb to the pass was very nice but not spectacular. And we arrived early. I would have gone directly to Pontebernardo, but seeing I preferred the company of Gerhard and Wolfgang I followed their plan which was a short day with the climb of an easy peak, in this case Bric Cassin at 2636m.

Beautiful Viviere

The First view of the borgata Viviere and our high-end accomodation. I have not started a "comfort trekking", easy paths, very high-end places to sleep. It is all the fault of Gerhard and Wolfgang. Not mine. Of course.

Gerhard and Wolfgang preferred taking a variant of the GTA today that is short and easy. I decided that the company was more important to me than the longer more beautiful path. It wasn't an interesting path, the weather however was again phantastic and my knees had a day of rest. We arrived early at "Viviere" which is a paradise of sorts. Stunning place, very high-end, extremely nice and helpful and the food is incredible. Angela is a more than excellent cook. Cauliflower and carrot flan with cheese sauce, melanzane alla parmigiana, crepes of wild spinach and nettles (which she had collected today) and then chestnut pudding with creme. Stuffed with delicious food we had a Genepi and chatted with the landlord Fabrizio and Katja, a German woman who passed by with her dog and decided to stay. Wonderful (lazy) day first in deck chairs in the sun, later in front of the fire place inside. Beautiful 17th century house, lovingly renovated in detail. I have a wonderful room and am in good company.

My companions and I walked for about seven hours on Wednesday, 19.9.2012, climbed 950m and went down 1150m, our highest point was Colle di Bellino at 2804m.