Since I lost a day or two waiting for my suitcase and buying new gear, I had to catch up with my itinerary. I took the train to Bourg St. Maurice, and a cab to Les Chapieux, where I stayed at the Auberge de la Nova. Since I had to find this place on a day's notice, I ended up in the dorm. The beds were just a two-level platform. Luckily I brought earplugs or I wouldn't have been able to sleep. I met this French couple at dinner.
The next day I climbed over the pass and had lunch at the Refugio de Elizabeth.
I didn't stay in Courmayeur itself, but rather in the nearby town of La Palud at the Hotel Dent de Giant.
Next: a day of rest taking the cablecar to Aiguille du Midi and Point Helbronner.