Both guardians at the Marcel Brunet and Louvie huts expressed surprise when I mentioned that we were planning to walk from the Cabane de Louvie to the Cabane des Dix.  So it was with a little trepidation that we set off at around 7:45am, hoping to cover the 24k (15 miles) and 2,000m (6,500 ft) of ascent before dinner was served at around 7pm.  In the event we made it, tired but in good time, at 5pm.

The route would take us through the aptly named Grand Désert area which, even in weak sunshine, looked bleak, grey and devoid of life.  Though incredibly, you still see brightly coloured flowers here and there, defying the hostile terrain.