Spain - Day 36: Nuria to above Setcases

One more dead thing

The weather in the morning was perfect. We had an exciting day ahead so we ate and left as quickly as possible. Now not only to beat a potential storm but to maximise time on the ridge. And avoid paying of course.

There was a bit of confusion about which way to go but in the end we managed (Ellie again). The start is unimpressive up a road and past the ski slope. But then the world opens up.

Martin and I

You get a choice. 'Straight' up the valley or turn left and have a longer ridge walk. As ridge walks are the holy grail of walking left it is. Up the steep side of the valley. We weren't alone but it was a big place.

The sun shining from the side. Couped with the steep slopes made for some nice shadow play photos


Some were closer than others. And some were very far away indeed. So far in fact that we are hardly recognisable.

Us (smiling)

 Once we got on top we had France to one side and Spain to the left. There wasn't a tree in site. There were people but they were few and far between.

It was perfect in every way. The near mythical day with perfect weather and a long high ridge walk.

We were like 'pigs in shit' as the saying going and the shit just kept flowing. We could see for miles and miles and kilometers (as we're in Europe).

We were high but with the promise of a little higher to come. We were also back on the HRP - but only briefly. It of course had to come down to us.

We were enjoying the day.
We were taking our time.
We were full of the joie de vivre.
We were 3/4 of the way.
We were happy.

Today was very, very photogenic. Picking which to share was a hard choice. We even lost some. There are some small crosses on the path. I am sure we took picture but now we can't find them. They have been stolen.

Other worldly

The way forward

We walked and climbed the little peaks just to get that little bit extra height. To see that little bit further.

We  reach 2780m. Actually more as a result of a little climbing. We reach 2783m. While the Pyrenees had been the main event - today was the high point.

And boy were we high.

As you can see. Or rather can't see. There are no people. 

The ridge will temporarily widen and only to narrow to nothing again. This was nature at its most beautiful.  Any thoughts of thunder storms had vanished. We took our time.

This is why we came. In a nut shell. Summarised into one day.

Which way

Walking on the left in France on the right in Spain.

In France - temporarily

In Spain again

The ridge just went on and on. Whenever we thought the path would head down it kept along the ridge. We walked smiling.

The ladies catching up

This, if nothing else, and there is lots else, makes the 36 day walk worth it.

We will come back

Mr. Cool

But eventually our path leaves the ridge. The HRP tries as far as possible to follow the ridge of the Pyrenees. We have read, we have been told, we have seen that it is beautiful. One day we will do the HRP.

The down

We stop the Refugi d' Ulldeter for lunch and talk to a Polish HRP'er. He's walking in trainers which he will take back to the shop when he gets home. They are falling to bits after 4 weeks!!!

We are delayed on the way down. There is a herd of cows across the path and on the left and right. Most move out of the way. But there is a nursing mother in the middle of the path. No real way round them.

Any move we make and she gets nervous. We wait 15 minutes for them to finish and wander off. Better delayed than flattened.

We reach Setcases and eat. Then continue up the next hill to find a camping spot. We eventually find the top and camping possibilities. We put up tents , look at the storm that is lighting up the sky where we have just come from and sleep.

Exhausted.