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Post by oldhillwalker on Feb 11, 2016 10:48:06 GMT -8
I will be backpacking in the Spanish Pyrenees for 22 days in September 2016. My itinerary is as follows: Air from Boston to Pamplona. Bus from Pamplona to Burguete and join the GR 11. Follow the GR 11 approximately 150 miles to Ordesa National Park and the bus back to Pamplona to fly back to the US. Experienced company would be welcome. This will be my third trip to Spain for hiking,
The video is not mine but will give a nice impression of what the GR 11 is like. The section I am planning is mostly mountainous except at the very beginning two days.
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idahobob
Trail Wise!
many are cold, but few are frozen
Posts: 198 
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Post by idahobob on Feb 11, 2016 12:45:37 GMT -8
what video?
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Post by oldhillwalker on Feb 12, 2016 11:19:00 GMT -8
I'm sorry. Must be my age again.
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Post by susanne on Feb 12, 2016 23:08:28 GMT -8
Hello, I will be watching this post. Currently retired, but working a short term contract. Have been extremely active in the past few years. Recent backpacks in 2015 included Great Wall of China, Kalalau Trail in Kauai, Sunshine Coast Trail in BC, Weminuche Colorado, Enchantments Washington. Colorado Trail was the hike of In the past I've hiked the West Coast Trail, Juan de Fuca, Macchu Picchu, Salkantay, RMNP, Robson/Berg, Yoho National Park, and small part of the Camino.
Would love to go back to France/Spain, and have hiking the Pyrenees on my wish list. Hope to go to the Himalaya area in October, and am planning on Patagonia in January
I should have the rest of my year mapped out by the end of April. At this point, the timing looks good!
ps. mid-50's fit female
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Post by oldhillwalker on Mar 3, 2016 4:41:18 GMT -8
I'm still on track for this hike. It will start out fairly easy for the first three days, then get more difficult as the terrain ramps up. I plan on taking around three to four zero days once getting into the higher terrain. Look at the data below which is still just an estimated itinerary. I plan on staying at Manned refuges for several of the nights, but will carry a light weight one man tent (Hilleberg Akto) . I will also not be carrying a stove, but intend to eat cold with all but one evening meals taken at refuges. Since staying refuges is not terribly expensive I have no problem in using then for shelter and meals. Midday meals will usually be bread, local cheese, and mountain hard sausage, which carry well.  |
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on Mar 3, 2016 11:40:45 GMT -8
Have the Pyrenees on my to-do list. Have other projects planned for the next two years. A couple of questions: - Why September?
- What factors influenced choosing GR11 vs. GR10?
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Post by oldhillwalker on Mar 4, 2016 8:02:05 GMT -8
Hello Westy. To answer your questions I have LD hiked in Spain twice before now and picked the period of Aug 30 to Sept 22 to miss the Spanish and French vacationers. I hopefully will also avoid much of the heat of midsummer. Reportedly the frequency of summer thunderstorms lessens as fall approaches. I would like to avoid carrying crampons and Ice Ax as snow depths should be at their lowest in the passes especially around the Breche de Roland. I speak a moderate amount of Spanish, but almost no French. In am aware that winter can arrive pretty early in the central Pyrenees so I would like be be finished by 22 September. As far as choosing between the GR 10, GR 11, or HRP. After reviewing all the on-line sources I could find for months, the GR 11 appeals to me more in terrain, weather, and facilities. I hesitate to say this, but I found many of the people of Spain friendlier than those I came in contact with in France. Especially in Paris!
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on Mar 4, 2016 10:40:22 GMT -8
OHW,
Thanks for the response to my questions. Saved the thread for future reference. Please post a trip report and maybe the Red Sox are the AL East Champs upon your return.
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Post by oldhillwalker on May 5, 2016 10:50:43 GMT -8
Still on track for the Pyrenees but leaving the US on August 24th.
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
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Post by Westy on May 6, 2016 5:34:36 GMT -8
Please keep us informed, it's a fascinating hike. Good Luck!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2016 7:36:29 GMT -8
oldhillwalker, you don't need a tent. There are free huts between the staffed hostels - I walked the whole of the GR11 between 2012 and 2014. See www.pyrenees-refuges.com/ for a map (in French) |
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Post by oldhillwalker on May 28, 2016 8:59:59 GMT -8
Hi stevecrack
Yes, I am aware of the multitude of shelters en-route. However I always bring shelter however small, whenever I backpack for any longer distance. Thanks for the comment.
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Post by oldhillwalker on Jul 21, 2016 13:20:38 GMT -8
I recently joined the (UK) section of the Austrian Alpine Club. The Insurance and the discounts at the Spanish (basically all European) mountain huts make it very worth the approximately $50 cost. Still on track to go. Too bad I will be solo on this scenically splendorous hike with, no one to share the wows with.
Tom
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Westy
Trail Wise!
Diagnosed w/Post-Trail Transition Syndrome
Posts: 1,952
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Post by Westy on Jul 30, 2016 4:12:18 GMT -8
Keep the updates coming! Thanks!
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