Haute Route Day 5: Dix - Vignettes

Biggest and possibly the most difficult climb of the Haute Route, all the way to the Pigne d'Arolla (3790m). From the top of here, the most encompassing view of the alps I've ever seen: Matterhorn and Dent Blanche now close to the East; Berner Oberland to the North; Jura to the North-North-West; Dents du Midi to the North-West; Mont Blanc Massif to the West; Grand Casse (!), Ruitor Glacier and possibly Grande Sassiere/Tsanteleina to the South-West; Aosta Valley and Gran Paradiso to the South. Very nice isn't the expression. This was followed by a reasonably quick descent down the eastern flanks of the mountain to the cliff-perched Vignettes refuge (3160m) and Rösti for lunch.