Pyrenees HRP - 2004 - Day 37

 

Sue and Martin's Big Adventure

 

Day 37 - Tuesday 31 August 2004 - Stage 30

Postcard Summary (on yesterday's card)

Silent froggy camp to lakelet at 2070 metres, 4 hours before Rif Pujol

Tough day with huge boulders, steep grass, no paths, very hot – 9.0 hours, 13 km, 1000m ascent

Another tough day – a steep descent then large boulders (not good for knees) for over an hour to reach another col.  The ‘path’ into Alos was steep and hot.  Restaurant only open in evening, so usual bread and pâté lunch on bench in shade.  A really hot afternoon for another 800m ascent – but nice silver birch woodland and plenty of raspberries to eat!  Autumn colours start to show – red and yellow shades.

 

Diary Entry (by Martin)

Woke at 7 am after 10 hours' sleep in this silent spot. Light fog outside. 12°C. Lots of condensation. We are sitting at the top edge of a cloud inversion. The only sound is that of sweetly singing birds.

 

After ablutions we get away at 8.20, the original intention being to contour at 2400 metres, the height of our camp, a la Véron. But cairns led us down the route suggested by Ton Joosten. I do not have happy recollections of the Véron route over loose boulders and scree, so I'm happy to opt for the alternative. Fine at first, but then we entered a field of huge boulders. (See top picture.) Slow going. Very hard on Sue's knees, which are suffering today along with her neck and her feet.

 

Eventually we join a cairned route (hard to describe anything this morning as a 'path') for the last 100 metres up to a col at 2430 metres. It has taken nearly two hours. Véron estimates 50 minutes from Col d'Airoto. [Use his route next time!]

 

There's a lot of cloud around again today, but it doesn't look threatening. After the horrible traverse we descend slightly more easily through fields of grasshoppers and lady's bedstraw and mountain houseleek, not forgetting the egg shells, banana skins and orange peel left by the invisible (today) Spanish contingent.

 

 Stocking up with spring water

We reach a track and some friendly horses and 11.30 to 12.00 sees us enjoying a most welcome brew stop and relishing handfuls of the excellent mountain mix derived from yesterday's purchases.

 

 The view towards Alos d'Isil

 Friendly horses

The descent to Alos d'Isil was unpleasant except for some nice smells, including mint. We short cut the dirt road (very long loops) and headed down a 'trace' of a path. Steep grass, very rough, all the way into Alos (1.20).

 

 

We attempted to find the restaurant, were told it was shut for lunchtimes anyway, and finished up having pâté baguettes on a bench by a car park.

 

 

The bench was nice. The view would have been if not dominated by a huge green crane that completely dominates Alos - obviously being developed. The dirt road through the village even has a new by-pass! The 'fountain' outside the church had two glasses placed in readiness for anybody wanting a drink, and there were some nice old houses in the village, as well as new ones with cladding over the bricks to make them look old.

 

Sue found a rubbish bin - very useful, and a pretty packhorse bridge - very ancient, like the old disused paths we had descended on. There were very few people around. On leaving Alos at 2.15 up a dirt road to the north, we were passed by a lone mountain biker, the only person we saw exercising all day. Nobody was out walking - not really a surprise given the paucity of paths.

 

Whilst after lunch we had some paths (the initial dirt track was absolutely full of butterflies) on our ascent from 1280 metres to 2070 metres - to a small tarn above a waterfall where Dave and I camped on 20 August 1994 (our last two days have been the same as on that trip). It was a humid 28°C, my back felt very heavy (it was) and the path was steep, so very hard work indeed. But it was through lovely birch woods, with autumnal colours and red bilberry bushes. Also lots of raspberries. Contrast with the bouldery scenery of the morning.

 

Sue wasn't enjoying it (knees, neck, feet, etc) - especially the big boulders of the morning. We passed an 8-inch lizard - black with small green spots. There were lots of ants on the path, which is the first three and a half hours of Ton Joosten's stage 26. We had a short break with 300 metres to go (up) and then inadvertently walked past the target lakelet! 5.15 - we'd done it in three hours - quicker even than Véron's 3 hours 15 minute estimate.

 

 

Another quiet campsite. (Note tent in above picture.) Spring water above. Quite a few flies, but luckily none of the ants encountered on the way up. Lots of grasshoppers. Sue had a full wash in the lake whilst I got water and we soon embarked on a good meal - mushroom soup / spaghetti carbonara and tuna / mint tea and chocolate. Sue collected bilberries to supplement tomorrow's muesli. It began to darken soon after 8.30 - time to finish this.

 

 

Stats and route (Viewranger):

13 km, 1000 metres ascent, 9 hours

 

 

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Sunday 13 October 2019 – The Calderdale Mountain Bike Marathon (Number 21)

 

Just like last year, we managed to choose a wet day for this event. We are pictured above, at the start, before slowly succumbing to total saturation from a mixture of sweat, and water ingress. Luckily, it was not cold, or windy - there was just a persistent light rain that left the camera in my pocket until transferred to a dry set of clothes at the finish. Here, in the cricket club this year, we enjoyed a welcome pint, Greg sitting at the edge of the lounge as he was forbidden entry due to still being caked in mud. (Or is he concealing some sort of contagious lurgy?!)

 

 

In between these two photos we had spent between 3 hours 24 minutes (Paul and Greg), and 3 hours 53 minutes (me) on the new 44.6 km course - a little longer than the old one - with 1100 metres ascent (as before). There were just two (very welcome) refreshment points, fewer than usual, as shown on the map at the foot of this posting. The route was very well signed - no need for a map.

 

Whilst the others used their modern bikes, out of tradition I used my 29 year old Shogun Trailbreaker, which finished up with a cracked frame after last year's event. Since then, it has been welded and re-sprayed, and as usual it performed well on this occasion - albeit a service is needed.

 

The new route involved turning left instead of right at Grain Water Bridge, where it was disappointing not to find the usual refreshment point. Instead, rather than the flattish road to Pecket Well, a steep hill (I walked up it) led to Stairs Edge. Then there was a long section over rough ground beside water conduits, some of which the organisers had needed to get special permission from the Water Board for the paths to be used for this event. Those with suspension (ie everyone else in the event) had a decided advantage here.

 

Robert had zoomed past me before Grain Water Bridge, having succumbed to a puncture near the start - otherwise he'd have been far ahead at that point.

 

Nab Water Lane was eventually reached. The juice, banana, chocolate and jelly babies were all most welcome at the support point. By now I think most people would have been soaked, and some were getting cold in the wet, rainy mist.

 

From here, over Oxenhope Moor on a quiet road, then an excellent, mainly downhill, route led to Luddenden Foot, where the A646 main road was crossed, and a final 200 metre climb was endured (most of us had to walk up a steep cobbled section) before a final glorious descent to the finish at Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club.

 

It was a fairly hasty beer for me, as those who had finished half an hour earlier had already feasted on the soup and rolls provided to finishers, and Paul and Greg needed to get home for an imminent birthday party. Which, as it was Paul's party, it would be appropriate for him to attend. I hope it went well.

 

Here's a summary of results over the years.

 

 

Here's the route - 44.6 km, with about 1100 metres ascent. Click on the image for a better version.

 

 

Other CMBM reports I have written are here, and the CMBM website with results etc, is here.

 

Thanks go to Robert, Paul and Greg for joining me on this event, and thanks, Paul, for the lift.

Pyrenees HRP - 2004 - Day 36

 

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 ascent
Slow 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. Here we were misled by an old sign to 'Correos' (Post Office), and wandered around the old village in vain, but it was lovely with old stone houses with shutters and plenty of flowers.

 

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 superb, but bouldery, ridge walk followed, first to a summit only two metres lower, then down past a lake to the Coll d'Airoto. On this airy section, two eagles soared quite close.

 

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.

 

 Sue returns to camp (far left) with lake water

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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Saturday 12 October 2019 - Wythenshawe parkrun number 412

 

We were back at our 'home' parkrun today, where 272 of us enjoyed calm, warm conditions for a good workout, with the grassy sections a little waterlogged, so not many fast times.

 

It's nice to get some fresh air though, albeit I had to pedal quickly home after the run, to fetch my forgotten barcode. Oops! Despite the 12 km round trip, I was relieved to get back to the scanning area before the Tail Walker finished the 5 km event. Phew!

 

Full results are here.

 

 

Today's pictures show Oliver giving a lone participant his briefing, with the bottom picture, taken from the 'Finish Funnel', showing someone appearing to make a false start.

 

There were visitors ('tourists') from Columbia, and Nick Whyatt completed his 50th run, but there was, unusually, no cake!

Friday 11 October 2019 - A Walk to Dunham Massey

 

A routine Friday morning stroll, and the first outing for some Scarpa Delta GTX boots bought nearly two years ago before Josie, at Alpenstock, retired. Their predecessors, an identical pair bought three years ago, have managed nearly 2500 kilometres so far without significant leakage, but are now rather worn, so the new ones need to be broken in, to avoid uncomfortable ankle rubs, before my next backpacking trip.

 

You may notice from the above picture taken on Timperley Bridge that it was raining at 10 am this morning. JJ had cried off, but Paul S appeared from the Metro station, so surprisingly I was not alone for the walk to Dunham along the Bridgewater Canal towpath.

 

Building on the Linotype site in Broadheath continues apace. The next two pictures are just for the record. Paul was wondering how congested the traffic using the one road out of the estate onto the main A56 road would be when the buildings are finished and occupied.

 

 

 

As we approached Dunham we spotted a brown insurgence into the cleaner canal water. An overflowing stream through muddy farmland?

 

 

The River Bollin, viewed from the canal aqueduct, looked pretty brown, though not all that full.

 

 

Leaving the canal at the Swan with Two Nicks, we re-crossed the Bollin below a weir that was fast flowing, but hardly 'in spate'.

 

 

Meanwhile, Paul B had failed to intercept us at Dunham Town, so he had to run down the towpath to catch us up. Here he is, splodging his way over the meadows to Dunham Massey.

 

 

Within the park there is a project aimed at children. Find the Lost Words.

 

 

Such as ...

 

The avenue of trees by the Smithy Pool is showing distinctive signs of autumn, which season seems suddenly upon us despite the continuing warm days.
 

 

The Lavender Tea Rooms served welcome coffee and cake. They were surprisingly busy.

 

A stroll through the golf course followed, before we headed off to our respective homes, the Pauls both being within easy reach of an early lunch.

 

For me, a pleasant 11 km stroll in good company, followed later by a trip to a nice Greek restaurant, then Moscow.

 

Well, the Moscow Philharmonic at the Bridgewater Hall... (no photos I'm afraid - they aren't allowed).

Thursday 10 October 2019 - Another 'Big Macc Ramble'

 

Another outing on this familiar route for me, but the first time for Paul and Greg. My previous reports on this 23 km loop with about 650 metres of ascent can be found here.

 

Today we enjoyed a dry ride in cool, breezy weather. After the long ascent from Langley, a rest outside the chapel at Macclesfield Forest was welcome, though I needed the time to replace a punctured inner tube.

 

I didn't reach for my camera until we got to the high point atop Danebower Hollow, beyond the still defunct Cat & Fiddle pub. The first two pictures were taken on the good track here.

 

 

Last time I reached the A54, Richard and I were foiled by roadworks and had to find a way round them. Sparkling new crash barriers and a good road surface now greeted us for a short section of tarmac before the long descent down Cumberland Clough. Technical in places, but great fun all the way down. Greg and Paul are pictured crossing the Cumberland Brook overflow, about half way down the hill. Note Greg's huge new 2.8 inch tyres.

 

 

 

By the time we reached Nessit Hill, there were drops of rain in the air, but we stayed dry all the way down to the car, which can just about be seen in the middle of the next picture, beside Ridgegate Reservoir, which we accidentally reached via a walkers' path, much to the annoyance of a man who had lost control of his dog.

 

 

Here's today's route, which took us three and a quarter hours, including two tea breaks and stops for my puncture, Greg's mudguard which kept falling off, a phone call, and lengthy waits for the others whilst I laboured up the hills...

 

Monday 7 October 2019 - The Savannah Jazz Band at Eagley Jazz Club

 

Another night of great trad jazz at Eagley, featuring from L to R - Bill Smith (Cornet), Sam Ellis (Trombone and Keyboard), Tony Pollitt (Bass), Roger Myerscough (Clarinet and Sax), John Meehan (Leader and Drums), Chris Marney (Banjo), and in the foreground - guest singer Alesha Harris.

 

Alesha (I think that is her name), a student in Manchester, hadn't played with the band before and did very well with the St James' Infirmary Blues and another song, before retreating to the background and winning the raffle.

 

In a week that saw the demise of 80 year old Ginger Baker, who I remember seeing on several occasions when he drummed with Cream, John's enthusiasm with his drum solo (see below) had some of us worrying about his own health...

 

Well done, everyone, that was most enjoyable, after the long drive back from Newtonmore in the rain, on our escape from the bed bugs of the Balavil Hotel - don't use room 26 if you stay there! We just hope that they haven't hitched a lift back to Timperley with us.