Els Ports - Part 2!

After last weekend's foray into the western side of Els Ports National Park I said I was keen to explore the eastern side as it looked pretty dramatic. Well, having just returned from a two-day circuit there, I can confirm it was! We slogged up from the valley onto an incredible ridge line, where we pitched our tent in a fantastic (though slightly blowy!) spot.

It was an amazing walk from the start, walking along the valley bottom past farms and olive groves with the ridge towering above us. A long sweaty slog up the steep hillside led us past caves and cliffs out onto the ridge, a geologist's paradise of limestone formations and shed-loads of fossils. The only slight downside, and important consideration for anyone walking around here, is the lack of water. We forced down ridiculous amounts in the valley and then humped 6 litres up with us and were very thankful we didn't rely on finding a font or tap en route as there wasn't a drop! Shame we didn't hump up a bit more gas though - our canister died as we were finishing cooking dinner meaning a TEA-LESS morning and breakfast of raisins!!! Thankfully the beautiful sunrise and stunning scenery throughout the day more than made up for this - and those of you who are aware of my total tea addiction and general grumpiness the mornings will know that is really saying something ;-)

Anyway, the pictures! As always, courtesy of Ali. There are rather a lot, but it was such a photogenic place with amazing light and I think Ali has surpassed himself with some more arty shots too! Stats for the geeks here: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1319975

Starting off along the valley, the ridge line looking very far away and rather high! 

Up up up through the rocks and forest

Relaxing upon arrival on the ridge. Very much needed after 1000m of ascent in 30 degree heat!

Out in the open... no escape from the sun or stunning views

The quaint little shelter of the Refugi de les Clotes. Equipped with wood-burning stove, bunk-beds and picnic tables but unfortunately NO WATER!

Views out West towards where we camped last weekend.

Spotting the perfect camp site in the distance!

Where we started and where we camped! Can you spot the green tent and me in pink fleece?!

Not a bad little spot to pitch up :-)

On the menu tonight: cous cous and meatballs! We're experimenting with a more varied camping diet at the moment, and despite looking suspiciously like dog food they were actually pretty good with a bit of sauce and salt and pepper! 

The soon-to-be Mr and Mrs Kennedy! Proof also that I don't actually spend every weekend on my own...

Jumping for joy in the sunset (and trying not to sprain my ankle landing on rocky ground in flip flops)!!!

6am sunrise and cloud inversion - happy days despite the lack of tea and hot breakfast ;-)

More jumping - quite a feat for me at 6am. 

Shame it's only a mug of water :-(

Who needs a 5* hotel?

Starting the long descent with the rock towers of Roques del Benet below us 

After a steep descent through the forests we were greeted by a huge cherry orchard - trees groaning
under the weight of succulent ripe cherries :-)

It would have been quite frankly ungrateful if we hadn't picked a few! A welcome second breakfast! 

More posing as we reached the final coll...

A grand design possibility? Full marks for outlook, not so sure about access and utilities though... 

Back to the valley where we found this handsome chap - I thought it was a toy at first!

Els Ports

We decided to change the pace this weekend and go walking (yes, walking, no bikes or ropes!) in the Els Ports Natural Park, an area south of us that we've been meaning to explore for a while. We opted for a fairly short circuit on the Western side (it's been a while since we've donned the heavy camping bags afterall!) and camped up high in a pretty impressive cliff top camp spot!

First impressions of the National Park were pretty positive, we were walking in among lots of rocky cliffs and canyons as well as through forests and meadows. It was a great feeling to be out wild camping again, and I'm really keen to explore more of the park, as we only covered a tiny section and were looking out onto some impressive ridges and dramatic scenery!

Starting off down the Estrets d'Arnes

Contemplating a dip at the Toll de Vidre!

Enjoying the view from Punyagalera

A pretty dramatic camping spot! 

Ali getting some arty shots in the evening light ;-)

A pretty spectacular morning show from what we think are Griffon vultures circling at 6.30am .
There were some different coloured ones too - possibly eagles? but no idea really! 

Birds gone, show over - time for breakfast! 

This chap wasn't expecting to find us and kept running around us, bleating madly!

Starting the descent 

Through pretty forests - perfect bike tracks! 

The highly efficient boat which takes you across the river Ebre - no motors, just the currents and one very hard working chap with a pole! 

This is why I moved to Catalunya!

My students often ask me why I moved to Catalunya and days like yesterday, biking in wall to wall sunshine in what I consider to be one of the most stunning places on earth, explain why!

The place: Montsant - this time right up to the top and along the entire length of the ridge - 58km long and with a whopping 2,643m of ascent.  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1268995

This was another ride we'd been planning for a while, waiting for clear skies and me to achieve a suitable level of fitness to fully appreciate the positions and actually stand a chance of completing it!

It was a pretty long and tiring day (9 hours riding in full sun!) through vineyards, quaint villages, up quiet winding roads and steep tracks up the mountainside onto the long Montsant Ridge. Some of the many highlights were the high mountain churches, the baron landscape of the top - with rocky paths and at times narrow sections of ridge, the well earned downhill and, of course, the views over Siurana and out to the coast and in towards the Pyrenees on the other.

There was not a bad or boring part of this ride :-) Anyway, enough of my nauseating commentary, here are the photos!

Endless vineyards down in the valley

Working our way up (slowly!) in the searing heat

A rare opportunity for some shade! Normally it feels bitterly cold up here in the wind, but it can't have dropped much below 30 degrees all day! 

The rocky path just keeps on going! 

Collapsing in the shade for lunch! The only tree for miles!

Coming from Cabassers, heading towards Albarca...

The only downside to the ride - scrape from a very slow and unspectacular topple - not a great look for the wedding :-(

A relaxing weekend in Camarasa

Shade was definitely in order this weekend if we wanted to do anything active, so we headed to Camarasa, a climbing area with cliffs either side of the River Noguera. We combined some routes in the morning with some sunbathing in the afternoon... not a bad way to spend a weekend! We also caught a glimpse of some other ways to pass the summer days - unfortunately it's not us in the photos but it was nice to watch!

A hot air balloon taking advantage of clear skies over our campsite at 7.30am

Watching the kayakers enjoying the melt water from the Pyrenees!

A spot of sunbathing by the River