Such a lot has happened since my last post and I`ll be brief as this place closes soon. I am at Luz St Saviour and it is Monday 21s June. Les has returned to the UK because of his knee injury and the very demanding few days we had after Etsaut. so....on with the show:
Wednesday 16th June Etsaut to Gabas
The weather forcast was for snow at 2000m so we thought we would be penned up for a while, but the day started beautifully so we set off. We ended up in heavy rain. We had to go along the Chemin de maitre, a track hewn out of a shear rock face to transport timber for French warships, Les Knee again gave him problems. The climb up to the col d`ayous (2185m) was beautiful but gruelling with a little snow on top, which we both fell over in. We descended into a vally with a fab lake and continued down. Met a young German couple who we got to know quite well. It rained, we eventually reached the refuge at gabas at 7.30 and had a meal. The 4 french men were there and the Germans, plus 2 young French guys. A pleasant evening.
Thursday 17th June: Gabas to Gourette
What a day, started out fine, all ten of us left together and proceeded on the long climb up to the Hourquette d`aire at 2465m the highest we had been. The french stopped for lunch, putting up an awning to shelter from the rain and also produced a bottle of wine. We pressed on up and met three people (one from the UK Jerry, who figures later) coming down who told us the pass was impassable with snow. We pressed on with the visibility varying from virtually zero to good. 200m from the top we were faced with a vast snow field which the 4 frenchmen proceeded to climb. They were half way up when I started in their footsteps, in zero visibility, all I could see was the footprints I was following. Les was really struggling and Sebastian, one of the young French guys looked after him. Over the top and we were on the north face of the mountain so even more snow. It was exceedingly difficult to find our way down and across the extensive snow fields and one guy did go head first on his back down one after falling. Thanks to the older french we got off. We would have turned back had we been on our own. I arrived at the refuge at Gourette at 8.30pm, 12.5 hours after setting out. Les got in about 9.15. The refuge had cooked us a late meal ; great. When I arrived and said Je Suis Anglais the lady in charge said i French, nobodys perfect!!
The experience made Les realise that he could not continue as he was in so much pain. We slept well that night.
Friday 18th June Gourette to Estaing
After a long discussion withLes he decided to come home so we had a tearful goodby. Well done mate, most people would have jacked in days before. I decided to continue and set off with the German couple on a relatively easy day although the weather was still crap. The rain meant that paths were deep in gooey mud and my boots were sopping inside and out with kicking toe and heel holes in the snow. On the walk we caught up with Jerry, who we had met the day before andon hearing Les plight offered to walk on with me. Great! We stopped over night in a camp site with a washing machine and tumble drier.
Sat 19th June Estaing to Cauterets
Packed the tents away in pouring rain and set off for cauterets through wonderful country which we couldn`t see because of the low cloud and mist. It was up to 2242m eventually and we thought it would never end being up. The down was just as bad and I becqme quite depressed, everything was sopping wet, it was cold and we hadnt seen a mountain for days because of the mist. Jerry had a contact in the Hotel Chantilly i Cauterets so I decided to have a day off and a rethink and stay there. The owners Phil and Marry Lennigan from Ireland were great and I thoroughly recommend the place. many thanks for the sponsorship Phil and Mary.
Sunday 20th June Rest Day
Good relaxing day although it still rained. Another copuple arrived full of enthusiasm and also sponsored me so I decided to continue. Jerry then anounced he had had enough and was going home.
Monday 21st June Cauterets to Luz St saviour
Well with lots of good wishes I set off on my own to go, up 1950m and down again. The weather was great and it was superb but on reaching a roqd I fell over and have a very painful shoulder. Place is closing so cheers me dears.