After a long, overnight train ride to Pau, thankfully the train-bus-hitch hike to Lescun turned out to be no problem... and I was greeted with sunshine over the Pyrenees in Lescun!
I started my hike on the Pyrenee Haute Route by walking through the villages and farms of the Lescun country-side... and while my pack definitely felt heavy, the blue-sky happiness had me feeling good!
Pyrenee country-side on the Haute Route
As soon as I entered the Parc Nacional de Pyrenees the trail began to climb... and climb! 1300 metres elevation gain on Day 1 was a tough introduction to the Pyrenees!
I stopped for lunch at this little sheppard's hut high up in the mountains... where I was visited by the resident rooster and chickens.
After lunch I climbed to the Col de Pau on the French-Spanish border. From the col the trail followed close to the crest of the border ridge for much of the rest of the day... with incredible views looking down into both France and Spain on either side of the ridge!
Sheep are a common obstacle in the Pyrenees!
My camp near Refuge d'Arlet - this was the first night in my new tent.
That night I shared camp and hiking stories with Maarten and Celine from Belgium - great to meet you guys! They know how to make a delicious trail omelette!
-Refuge d'Arlet in the background-
My signature pose on the French-Spanish border near the Valle d'Aspe on my way to Candanchu.
Beautiful.
More Pyrenee wandering still to come...
2 comments:
Hi Brad: Great pictures, sure like the scenery and your rooster company and sheep, most interesting. Dad and I picked plums and apples today. Made an apple pie and thought of you. Plum Dessert tomorrow. We are enjoying your blog keep up the good work. Miss you Love Mom
Hey Brad!
Nice to see you already found some time to post us on your blog (ofcourse I was going to check it out!).
I geuss by now you're probably already somewhere in Barcelona or Madrid.
I checked some of your films as well: quite inspiring!
Loved the time we spend with you: if you're ever in Belgium...
Maarten and Céline
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