8th may
P-de-port - col d'irau
On the road again (with nearly new knee) nice route but rain came on. Coffee stop to dry out at Estercuby auberge Etchegoyen. Birds of prey overhead. Took old GR route which contoured a lot, Lawr was happy! wild camp at col but cheese seller i was hoping for was not there... but great camp spot.
highs -long easy day, cool weather, early bed
lows - navigation, no cheese,
note - Lawr has excelled himself and blown his annual clothing budget on a pair of 2euro flip flops
9th may
col d irau - logibar
lightening and high winds in the night, but tent made it. Quick morning, nice at Irati then over to Larreau. Found shop, phew. Wild camp at logibar and river wash. Saw first snow on mountains and there is quite a lot still. Shame can`t upload the picture as the views have been great.
highs - views of central pyrennes, cheese, river wash, cold porridge
lows - 1st day of cows, huge height lost to be gained tomorrow, lots of biting things at camp spot
note - as the Lone Ranger looked out of the tent he turned to Tonto to say he had spotted apache clouds on top of the hills. Tonto was mightly impressed by the Lone Ranger`s knowledge of native american tribes. Only when the storm struck later did she realise she`d misunderstood.
10th may
logibar-st engrace
Sunny day following gorges, very impressive. Lawr kept me away from the edge in case of a balance impairment. Long climb up and back down so an icy pool was a welcome break in the afternoon. In st Engrace we are told that the cols are closed with snow. Now studying maps for possible alternatives.
highs -early cool start, easy pace!, lovely walk
lows - pass may be shut, cows, bites, no fromage for sale on hills yet
note - cornered by a collie, slavered on by a spaniel, yapped at by a yorkie. Alway check boots for wildlife in morning before putting them on!
11th may
st engrace- lescun
Very early start, lots of ascent, at col faced with pic d`anie and a view of loads of snow everywhere! Just after met three wise men who had conpleted the GR10 which donkeys. They were confident we would get over col despite other info we were given. Lawr feeling very chipper now. We stop of coffee at Snowbar in Arrette la Pierre st martin and owner very positive as well and offers us a different route. So laden with half a kilo of cheese and two baggettes we set off via cabin campagol. Tough to get to cabin through limestone and snow, but we had a good traverse to col azuns and make it through. We bounce down the otherside, shop till we drop, then haul our weary bodies to the 2km away camping.
highs - mission achieved, 3wisemen, cheese, mountain water, freshfruit, iceball cone at 1800m, wildlife
lows - sore feet
note - in touch with nature (ie smell au natural) as an Izard came within 10m of us!
top day so far
12th may
lescun-borce
Massive storm surrounded us last night, lightening amazing. After yesterday`s exertion we took it very easy. Lovely and shady in woods. Met a policeman in uniform at the col at 1601m! Borce nice, but no official camping, however got shown nice wild spot. Drinking coffee in community cafe and life is good.
highs - cafe, camping spot,
lows - dodgy knees for both of us
note - wild washes verging on the exhibitionist.
P-de-port - col d'irau
On the road again (with nearly new knee) nice route but rain came on. Coffee stop to dry out at Estercuby auberge Etchegoyen. Birds of prey overhead. Took old GR route which contoured a lot, Lawr was happy! wild camp at col but cheese seller i was hoping for was not there... but great camp spot.
highs -long easy day, cool weather, early bed
lows - navigation, no cheese,
note - Lawr has excelled himself and blown his annual clothing budget on a pair of 2euro flip flops
9th may
col d irau - logibar
lightening and high winds in the night, but tent made it. Quick morning, nice at Irati then over to Larreau. Found shop, phew. Wild camp at logibar and river wash. Saw first snow on mountains and there is quite a lot still. Shame can`t upload the picture as the views have been great.
highs - views of central pyrennes, cheese, river wash, cold porridge
lows - 1st day of cows, huge height lost to be gained tomorrow, lots of biting things at camp spot
note - as the Lone Ranger looked out of the tent he turned to Tonto to say he had spotted apache clouds on top of the hills. Tonto was mightly impressed by the Lone Ranger`s knowledge of native american tribes. Only when the storm struck later did she realise she`d misunderstood.
10th may
logibar-st engrace
Sunny day following gorges, very impressive. Lawr kept me away from the edge in case of a balance impairment. Long climb up and back down so an icy pool was a welcome break in the afternoon. In st Engrace we are told that the cols are closed with snow. Now studying maps for possible alternatives.
highs -early cool start, easy pace!, lovely walk
lows - pass may be shut, cows, bites, no fromage for sale on hills yet
note - cornered by a collie, slavered on by a spaniel, yapped at by a yorkie. Alway check boots for wildlife in morning before putting them on!
11th may
st engrace- lescun
Very early start, lots of ascent, at col faced with pic d`anie and a view of loads of snow everywhere! Just after met three wise men who had conpleted the GR10 which donkeys. They were confident we would get over col despite other info we were given. Lawr feeling very chipper now. We stop of coffee at Snowbar in Arrette la Pierre st martin and owner very positive as well and offers us a different route. So laden with half a kilo of cheese and two baggettes we set off via cabin campagol. Tough to get to cabin through limestone and snow, but we had a good traverse to col azuns and make it through. We bounce down the otherside, shop till we drop, then haul our weary bodies to the 2km away camping.
highs - mission achieved, 3wisemen, cheese, mountain water, freshfruit, iceball cone at 1800m, wildlife
lows - sore feet
note - in touch with nature (ie smell au natural) as an Izard came within 10m of us!
top day so far
12th may
lescun-borce
Massive storm surrounded us last night, lightening amazing. After yesterday`s exertion we took it very easy. Lovely and shady in woods. Met a policeman in uniform at the col at 1601m! Borce nice, but no official camping, however got shown nice wild spot. Drinking coffee in community cafe and life is good.
highs - cafe, camping spot,
lows - dodgy knees for both of us
note - wild washes verging on the exhibitionist.
Following you regularly. Inspired to start planning our own escape. All the best. George and Carol
ReplyDeleteHi guys in a campsite at luz st sauveur. Storms building for the week. All the best to Carol and her recovery. Hopefully see you In July and Bore you with our tales.
ReplyDelete