Spain - Day 28: Areu to Refugi de Baiau

Water anyone?

The plan was revealed over breakfast. We would give the shop another go.Lunch at the Refugi de Vallferrera and sleep at the Refugi de Baiau.

And yes that's 5 vowels. pronounced Baiau, by the way. We asked.

We knew that space in the Refugi was limited to 9. More in an emergency and we knew, had heard that it was popular. So we raced up the hill. In and out of waterproofs on the hot-wet cycle previously described but as we had an up of about 1,600m it was more hot despite the wet and to be honest - cold.

We knew that Mr. Gruber (an Austrian named after Paddington's friend) his real name we did not know, was ahead of us planning to stay in the same place. We knew people would come the other way. We knew that we wanted to stay there.

Not lost then

So we raced.

(BTW the shop had discovered a box of kit-kats)

The opportunities for water on the way were unappealing. We stopped at the Refugi de Vallferrera but they had no food left and were waiting for resupply. Could we wait?

NO WE COULDN'T

We needed to overtake - anyone and everyone. We didn't worry about people catching us - Go Mode but you never knew.

The terrain

The way up was pretty - but it was raining off and on and it was an unrelentingly up. 5 hours of up was our estimate.

We took Mr. Gruber - YIPEE!!! who didn't know he was racing.

       



We took some pictures but quickly.

                    We peed, but sparingly.


There were cows, and bridges and pretty Ibonitas. But we were in...

                         GO MODE

Our first view of the refuge (still some way to go)

And we went. As the Refugi came into sight so did a group of 5 in front of us. We hadn't come across these walkers - we hadn't heard of them. We we heart broken. There was no way we could catch them.

The attractive lake

But we tried. Ellie went into Chase Mode we all struggled to follow.

But it was futile. Their lead too great. Our packs too heavy.

But wait - did they have packs? We weren't sure if they were big or small.  We cheered as they turned off to the lake.



We scrambled. Climbed. Fell up the last bit of mountain leading to the Refugi. We went in.

And?

And?

AND???

THERE WAS SPACE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Refugi de Baiau'

There were three people inside and a dog. We made seven. Mr. Gruber eight and a couple made 10. he slept on the floor.

It is magnificent

Them happy

It was cold outside but the metal shelter with 11 bodies soon was warm and sweaty. 

It was so cold that it had started to snow on us just as we got to the refugi. We were at 2500m so snow is what you expect. But the clouds were transient and some of the views when we braved the cold  (for the pees we had put off) were amazing. 

The view and cables tying the refugi down

But we were happy - we were in. The conversation was lively - maps no use as it was dark inside. But we got to know a little about everyone. Except Mr. Gruber we ate and went to sleep.

Just can't resist some more photos.

5 hours up but worth every minute

500 km to get here but worth every single one

500 km

Sleeping in a tin shed

Altitude: 2517m

Attitude: over the bloody Moon

Company: couldn't be better

(some alcohol would have gone down well)

We had very little food. Some nice Czech people (it was a Czech tin anyway) had left a tin of meat. We were offered this. We were tempted. But this wasn't an emergency. Someone may really need it. So we left it.

And were hungry.