Spain - Day 19: Puen de San Chamie to Refugio de Cap de LLauset

From whence we came

Today, we do really finish in the middle of no-where. Refugio de Cap de Llauset even sounds remote. But we have a reservation. We force the kids to practise there Spanish - and where better than on the phone in Spain.

The weather remains perfect and we are beginning to believe that we might just make it. But we are only about 40% of the distance.  So no celebration.

The bus-sy road

Back into the real mountains today with the promise of 1700m of up and only a bit down at the end. Actually, we prefer up any day. Down is generally painful. Both on the body and soul.

Much to our disgust there is a bus which takes you up the track and saves about half of the walking hours. But we came to walk - every step of the way. So we wave merrily at the bus as it squeezes past.

Thinking rather walk that be sitting on a bus looking over the edge.

Emergency shelter

For some reason we are in a hurry. Maybe the threat of a thunder storm. Or maybe just for the exercise. But either way landmarks seem to be taking their time coming into view. It's the road and that damn bus.

We come across an emergency mountain shelter - but are happy that we don't have an emergency. But note its presence in case the predicted possible thunderstorm happens. It's not a likely thunderstorm but in the mountains who knows. We were told that the helicopter at the refugio was still booked to fly today and that they have the very best of weather reports. Their lives really do depend on them. So we are walking - not resting. Which we considered. Discretion definitely being the better part of valour.

Then we got to the ibons and all was forgotten.

The original Infinity Pool

Unfortunately not a blue sky, but no thunder yet.

We sat by the lake surrounded by steep rock mountains. A couple past us. After exchanging the obligatory hellos I asked if they were lost too. The expression on their faces was wonderful. First shock - Germans don't get lost. Second concern - they asked 'Are you lost'. Third... well we all can't share the same sense of humour.

Left overs from the ice age

Classic glacial lake

The lake, too cold to swim in, provided a good excuse for a rest, lunch of sausages and bread (again). Ok, and fruit and chocolate and onions and fish and biscuits. But we still like Churiso.

Onward and upward - more boulders. The wife not happy as you can see. 

'Really. More f----ing rocks'

But the view back to the lake(s) (we weren't quite sure) was nice. Couldn't see the Germans maybe they were lost.

Ibons

On a long trek like this you have to take the little victories when you can. Here they reach something that looks like the top from below. It isn't of course - but its the top of our hike. It has yellow sign. So it must be.

The Collado de Ballibierna 

We stopped on the other side - out of the wind to eat. There was a perfect spot, nestled in the boulder field. Nice and warm and comfortable. You can see they are enjoying it.

Best pic-nic area around

If we needed more proof of a god - or a Slartibartfast. Water issuing forth from the rock. No biblical miracle - where there is some doubt - this miracle is on camera for all to see.

Water from the rock

They were extending the refugio, hence the helicopter. We sat for ages watching it work - but to small for the camera. The threatened thunderstorm never came. But look at the clouds - definitely ominous.     

High levels of ominous clouds

We shared a room with a Spanish couple he was so keen and happy to be in the mountains. His plan was for a 3000m peak the next day. She however, was in the mountains for the first time. We could tell that his plans were doomed.

Dinner was good and voluminous. The talk was of 3000m and Ellie's desire to get that height on this trip. Sea level to 3000m on foot and back to sea level. But we have already missed the best chance.