Col de la Vanoise
					We cycled for a little while, then pushed the bikes up a 1 in 2 gradient for 45minutesuntil we reached a plateau.
					We cycled across stepping stones, this is why we take mountain bikes on our off road touring holidays, and why so much effort is put into mountain bike component choice before setting off. You don't want to keep stopping to pick up your bottles that have jumped free or to put the panniers back on the rack!
					After the lake the ascent is on shale...
					...then the path was covered in snow.
					Hard work but worth it - Col de la Vanoise! The feeling of achievement reaching the top off road touring is greater than the top of any road col.
					After lunch at the Ref du Col de la Vanoise, we continued to start the descent.
					This part was mostly rideable, until the end of the plateau when we realised that it was 700m down to Ref d'Entre Deux Eaux.