Back in Spain - Pica d'Estats circuit

After several weeks of relaxing (and eating!) in the UK and a long drive back to Spain we were keen to get moving again! It’s still far too hot and humid for climbing locally so we packed up the rucksacks once more and headed to the Pyrenees, a new area for us around Pica d’Estats, for a few days walking.

Starting off through the meadows - check out Tash's new bag!



Gettting steeper as we headed up the first valley

Our first campsite after a 4 hour slog!

Our first glimpse of Pica d’Estats 3,145m – the highest mountain in the Catalan Pyrenees. It's actually the one on the right hand side even though its neighbour look higher!

Descending past many lakes and the local inhabitants!

Our next campsite under Pica d’Estats – Tash avoiding looking at tomorrow’s steep scree ascent!

The border crossing

The very windy summit of Pica d'Estats!

Video taken from the summit of Pica d'Estats (3,145m) - highest in the Catalan Pyrenees.

...followed by 700m of steep descent...

Tash's new barbie fleece!

Looking down to the popular refuge below our campsite

A shady start to day four!

Helicopter delivering to the Refuge - I want that job!

The photo doesn't do justice to how steep this actually was!

Facing yet more steep scree...

...down to more lakes. It was too hot and the water too tempting – I had to jump in! It was a bit cold.



Trying to respond to a significant text message - Tash had just become an Auntie!



Building a kitchen from local materials

Sainsburys Beef Curry for tea – mmmmm!

The last of the afternoon sun over our campsite

The final day’s ascent, an hour of boulder hopping up to the col...

…and over the other side down to the Romedo Lakes

The final lake – Romedo de Baix

Starting the descent back to the car – it’s a long way down!

Looking over to where we started – you can see the path going up the valley to our first campsite.

Then it was home to a very hot Montbrio – time for iced tea!