A timeless night with friends

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So, after a long day at work, we set off for the Faravel cabin. First, we need to grab our camping bags—which we’d packed the night before—and toss them in the trunk so we can hit the road toward the Freissinières Valley. Heavy snow has taken over the valley, allowing us to park in the winter parking lot, just before the famous avalanche that cuts off the road every winter. We grab a bite to eat, reluctantly take off our sneakers, and, skis on our feet, set off to reach our shelter for the night: the Faravel hut.

The Ascension

The trail, which is flat at first, leads to the summer parking lot, and then we begin our ascent toward Dormillouse. Before reaching the hamlet, we turn left toward Lake Palluel. Under the canopy of pine trees, the snow remains fresh and soft, and as we follow the tracks of hares and foxes, we come upon a snow bridge that allows us to cross the stream.

Once we emerged from the forest, we could make out the expanse of Lake Palluel beneath the blanket of snow. We then headed north to climb a ridge and reach the Faravel hut.

• Hut: a rustic, basic shelter consisting of a roof. A roof to protect against the cold, the wind, and the elements.

In winter, temperatures are low, and snow covers everything. To spend the night, it’s therefore important to protect yourself from the cold and damp. The Faravel cabin embodies the idea of a refuge for all those who venture deep into the valley. In winter, only the attic space under the roof is accessible. It used to be the barn, where grain was left to dry. With a few blankets, a hanging table, two benches, and a solar-powered shower in the middle, the place is basic but welcoming.

We heat water in our stoves to rehydrate our freeze-dried meals. A few squares of chocolate and a cup of herbal tea later, the night is clear, calm, and starry, and sleep soon finds us, wrapped up in our down sleeping bags, our eyes closed.

The next day, the trip back to the parking lot went smoothly. We put on our climbing skins to head to Dormillouse, and the few downhill turns leading us there allowed us to enjoy the last of the fresh snow in a north-facing valley. When we reached the car, we savored that moment spent outside of time, far from traffic, the sound of car horns, the grocery list, and the worries of everyday life.