So we got to the finish line. We had rain, sun and snow ! Walked 210 kms ascended 12825m and descended 13374m and got to over 2500m. Had whiteouts, walked in clouds and glorious sunshine. Saw magnificent mountains and valleys, met some really interesting people. My partner had her first experience of dormitories in refuges and we stayed in idiosyncratic, individual gîtes that without exception were all incredibly hospitable . Special mention should be made of the Hôtel Castets d'Ayré in Barèges. The rain had been so bad that the road to Oredon had been washed away and our baggage transfer was not possible. They drove all the way to Tourmalet car park with our bags for us to choose a change of clothes and our toothbrush for the unexpected overnight stay without our bags. What service !
We had encounters with patou, saw marmots, vultures and deer.
It’s was an adventure of epic proportions !
This would not have been possible without the organisation and support of Respyrénées, especially when we asked for some modifications to the route midway which the team handled very quickly and efficiently. So thank you to the team, we will be back for the next stages without a doubt
Richard Logsdail
21 September 2024