Hikers to Barillette 24 Sept 20

Steve recalibrated this hike after the weather forecast seemed to preclude Morgins and the higher hills. Instead he chose the Barillette attracting a further 9 of us who signed up for the promise of a good hike and the possibility of a tasty fondue. Initial attempts to find the right trail were frustrated by loggers and at one point we descended back 60m downhill on the trail of pain. Happily Steve found the trail to paradise and even the sun came out. About 1000m up and about 3 hours of gently toil saw us at the mast for reasonable views over the lake.

Lunch at the Barillette was indeed worth the hike and we shared the cheerful room with a group of Swiss trekking tennis players who included a Swiss horn player. After beer, wine and a fine fondue (for 80% of us), and some Scottish fluid, we were serenaded to some fine horn playing/wind music. Tarte maison, coffee slipped down well and we fell out into some wet weather, but actually it stopped pretty soon and we enjoyed a pleasant descent to the cars at Bonmont (albeit some Bonmont regulars did not recognise the Bonmont cycle road and attempted a repeat ascent). Attending Steve, David, Philip, Mark W and Mark W, Mervyn, Peter T, Richard, Rob and Thatcher. Apologies from Drew M and Peter D. Total up 1030m. Distance unknown to me. Just in time before really bad weather came in, including snow to 1200m predicted.

Message from our leader.

Thanks for your patience as I considered the similar-looking roads to paradise or pain (and sometimes made the incorrect decision). However, we reached paradise (the Barillette restaurant) at the alloted hour and managed to avoid the pain of the real storm that hit later in the evening. We lost electricity for half an hour in the evening after one impressive lightening strike.
As you say, a memorable walk for the turn out, the restaurant, the alcoholic consumption and, of course, the alphorn playing.
Looking forward to reading the blog!
Regards to all,Stephen