Sue and Martin's Big Adventure
Day 36 - Monday 30 August 2004 - Stage 28/29
Postcard Summary
Hotel
Deth Pais to Below Coll d’Airoto
Successful haul of a week’s provisions up
a nice hill – 7.5 hours, 15 km, 1500m ascentSlow start after a huge breakfast at this nice hotel (despite its name). The “supermarket” – more a sort of corner shop, didn’t open until 9am – we then loaded up a week’s provisions, including 17 tins of fish and pâté, lots of pasta, lots of “mountain mix” (fruit and nuts), 8 bars of chocolate, 2 packets of muesli, etc, etc. The walk up to Coll d’Airoto was steep. The guide book advised against being heavily laden. We made it in nearly guide book time, but it was hard work. A steep direct route to a summit, then a ridge, then finally dropping 100 metres from the col to a small lake at 2400 metres. BLISS.
Diary Entry (by Sue)
Now back up to
about 2400 metres, keeping away from the mosquitoes inside the tent (the sun
has gone anyway at 7ish), at a silent wild camp by a small lake.
There was a
leisurely start to the day with breakfast at 8 amongst a small, but noisy group
of Germans. Made the most of it, having muesli, bread, cheese, ham, salami,
then toast and jam.
Then, a trip to
the small 'Supermercado' which opened at 9 o'clock. We have decided to save
ourselves a day by carrying a week's food, amounting to 5 breakfasts, 8 lunches
and 5 evening meals. Plus, of course, chocolate (one bar a day) and increments
to the mountain mix. €73 later, the shopping seemed to weigh a significant amount!
Maybe the tins of fish... ? It all seemed to fit in and we left the hotel in
sunshine at 10.30 am.
We were
concerned about the weight of the rucksacks, but soon discovered that it was
fine with a steady pace and hourly rests. A lovely old track led up past the hamlet
of Unha to the village
of Bagergue
Ascending from Salardu
The view back to Salardu
Field Gentian
There are a lot
of new buildings in these villages but the old parts still retain their
character.
Onwards on a
narrow zigzag path, then a track up to the Plan de Beret, a ski area. Below, two
huge complexes of buildings, the new ski resorts.
At last, about
12.30, onto a small path in sparse pines, to climb up to the Estany de Baciver.
See a few folk on the path. Lunch before the dam - I had eaten a few
raspberries before, and had a handful of bilberries after! A brew, and bread
and pâté.
Above the lake,
the path was a delight. Not climbing too steeply, it was surrounded by purple heather
and purple field gentians - clusters of flowers. The scenery around the two Estanys
Rosari de Baciver was reminiscent of the Glyders or Y Garn in Snowdonia - rocky
mountains with scree.
Pausing at the Baciver lakes before heading up in a straight line to the highest point in the picture
Martin had forewarned
me of a steep climb to the summit of Tuc de Marimanya (2662 metres), and he was
right. Without a path, we climbed steeply on rocks and grass, in fact so steeply
that using the grass to pull us up was helpful. Luckily it was only 300 metres
of ascent! It was very satisfying to reach the summit.
On the summit of Tuc de Marimanya
The view was
extensive but very hazy - cloud was evident over France
A short but
steep descent led to this camping spot, reached at 5.50 pm. The tent was soon
up, and after waiting for purifying tablets to work on lake water (we still
have a litre of unpurified spring water from earlier), soup was made.
As no sauce
mixes were available, we have pasta with seafood cuppa soup and frankfurters -
a very acceptable dinner. It's now 8.30 - mint tea is brewing. With a piece of
chocolate, this will be pudding. Time for a brief read to, I hope, before
sleep.
Stats
and route (Viewranger):
15
km, 1500 metres ascent, 7.5 hours
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