Our first trip to the Aiguestortes was back in May 2010, when we bivvied and climbed our first multipitch route together. Despite the disaster of the actual climbing (I took so long we were nearly benighted and it snowed!) we totally fell in love with the place and keep being drawn back!
So what better way to celebrate the end of the academic year than with another trip, just walking this time but as always it didn’t disappoint! I don’t think I’ll ever tire of the towering mountains, endless lakes, lush meadows and brightly coloured flowers. And, best of all, bar a few honeypots where taxis bring up the rich or lazier visitors ;-) you hardly see anyone up there. Bliss!
Our circuit was fairly tame in terms of distance, 35km over 4 days, but there was plenty of up within that and obviously time needed to be factored in for plenty of sunbathing! ;-)
http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1313413
I'll let the photos do the talking now as the scenery is far more stunning than my ramblings can do justice to. I think the models need some new poses and different t-shirts though!
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| Starting along old railway tracks and tunnels around Estany Gento. Originally built to transport workers and materials to construct the hydroelectric dam systems, cut into the mountainside at over 2000m it must have been a pretty spectacular train ride! |
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| The Colomina Refuge perched just below the Colomina Lake (2415m). Thankfully the cloud was thin and short-lived, there's nothing more disconcerting than a steep slog into cloud!!! |
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| Up up up to more and more lakes... Estany del Cap de Port (2527m) |
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| And over the Coll de Saburo (2667m) down towards the J.M Blanc Refuge... |
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| The J.M Blanc refuge jutting out into the lake Estany Tort de Peguera (2318m). The best located refuge I've ever seen! |
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| Sunrise on the edge of the dam... No attempts at star jumps this time, the ledge was thin and the water pretty cold! |
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| The sun hits the refuge... the beautiful morning light is well worth the early start! |
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| Breakfast back on our hill above the refuge! |
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| Heading up again, Estany de la Coveta (2395m) |
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| Picking a slightly more adventurous path along the lake! |
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| The rewards of slogging over yet another Coll (Coll de Monastero 2715m) - loads of lush meadows and perfect wild camping spots |
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| Estany de Monastero - a long way down at 2200m but well worth the drop! |
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| A well earned rest and paddle in the river... |
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| Ali busy in the kitchen - cous cous and meatballs on the menu tonight! |
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| Morning shadows as we started day three. |
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Reflections in the super still waters of the Estany de Monestero. Spot me in the bright pink fleece...
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| There I am! |
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| Admiring the water... |
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| More posing... |
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| Stomping along boards laid by the lovely people at the National Park. No wet feet for me :-) |
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| After dropping down further to the Estany de Sant Maurici (1893m) we worked our way back up to the col of the Portarro d'Espot (2424m). Amazing views in all directions - cue cheesy couple shot courtesy of the first other hiker we'd seen in days! |
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| Breathtaking views from the Mirador del Portarro - worth the 15 min detour! |
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| Facing another drop down to the next valley - the aptly named Coma dels Pescadors (fisherman's valley). Tasty though our meals of cous cous, tinned tuna and ravioli were, the massive trout in the lakes up here looked far more satisfying! |
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| Up up up... More big mountains and lakes! |
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| After some boulder hopping and snow patch crossing we finally got up to the Collada dels Gavatxes (2666m) - the head of the Coma dels Pescadors |
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| The other side of the col, with our final destination in the distance! Spoilt for choice for lakeside camping spots :-) |
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| Cooling off in the Estany de Cubieso (2352m) |
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| Pitching on the promontory |
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| Ali in his purpose built kitchen! Shepherds or other campers constructed some neat little seats, cupboards and work surfaces. Not bad views either :-) |
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| Can you spot the tent? |
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| The morning sun creeping over! |
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| Early morning tea by the tent |
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| Mmmm...porridge and big fat juicy raisins! One of the best things about wild camping :-) |
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| Heading down along the dams... and perhaps a mini grand design project? |
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| A well fertilized mushroom! |
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| Back to the train tracks along the Estany Tort (2315m) to complete the circuit. |
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| Back at the car and time to say goodbye to Ali's trainers. RIP (or perhaps I should say good riddance as they honked!!!) |
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