We walked about 3 km today, with minimal ascent - basically a couple of trips to a table d'orientation kiosk.
Weather: sunny
A lovely warm rest day in Lescun.
Our last breakfast with John and Paul was savoured, before the two heroes set off on the next stage of their 'Tour Aventure' adventure - to Etsaut.
We had a lazy day, with a couple of trips along to the 'kiosk' and its fine view over the village of Lescun to its eponymous cirque (pictured).
A chat with the owners of the excellent gite - Maison de la Montagne - helped us to plan our route for the next four days. Axe and crampons are advised for the 2185 metre Col d'Ayous, between Etsaut and Gabas, and the 2465 metre Hourquette d'Arre after Gabas, so we've devised an alternative that also requires the day before those sections (ie tomorrow) to be changed. The changes make for a good compromise, albeit involving a tad of road walking. Gourette to Arrens-Marsous on GR10 is no problem, but we'll have to assess the viability of the next section to Cauterets when we reach Arrens-Marsous.
We aim to stay safe. The scenery will be wonderful regardless of the route taken if this weather holds.
Also, Jill W has kindly informed us that the Oasis gite at Barèges is due to reopen on Monday, so we have been able to book it for 8 July, though we aren't looking forward to the scene of devastation that will await us there. Jill's information, and that from Nick and others has been very helpful and is much appreciated. Thank you.
Dinner was in the local restaurant, just down the road, the Bar des Bergers. A nice meal, similar to last night's at the gite, featuring the usual 'garbure' (vegetable soup, sometimes with ham) and confit of duck, a local favourite featuring slowly cooked duck legs.
We didn't see much of any other HRP or GR10 walkers, apart from one misguided chap who thought the HRP was easier on the knees. He hasn't come to the boulder fields yet, and our experience indicates that both routes average about 1000 metres of ascent a day. I agreed to differ; he was unwaveringly correct. I doubt we'll meet again.
(I may of course be completely wrong - it wouldn't be the first time!)
I've failed miserably to catch up with other people's blogs. Never mind. We did however catch sight of the Tour de France stage finish in Corsica. It looked really strange...
5 comments:
Looks like a lovely place to spend a rest day :-) Hope the better weather holds for you.
"..he was unwaveringly correct..."
Brilliant stuff
:-)
Hope the re-route goes well for you both. Fingers crossed here.
Following your progress with much interest and concern re The Floods.
But am encouraged by your " Aim to stay safe".
Hope all goes well- What an adventure!
R&C wish you well.
Love to you both.
Lescun looks great in your photo. I remember it as a 'proper' little mountain village. Good place for a rest day. I can imagine how the town of Bareges could have been inundated with flood water - it is in a narrow valley with the river going right through it.The last few years late snow seems to be more common and causing problems on the passes. Hope your amended itinerary works out and you continue to enjoy the journey.
Thanks for all those messages.
It's interesting being 'off route' - quite fun most of the time....
Post a Comment