What a day (11/11)

 Yesterday was a pretty full on day.

First a drive over for a tour of “Caves of Canelobre”.  Some pretty amazing history behind it and some of the stalagmites were pretty amazing. The tour guide wasnt the best but hey ho, I got the jist of it.  You weren’t meant to take photos (flash for obvious reasons, otherwise so they could sell you their own images after the tour), that was pretty much ignored, no flash though.  

Some photos when the guide wasnt looking…..

This was taken after the tour from the viewing platform

After that tour I walked down to the van and realised I was at the foot off a mountain I had looked at going up, so changed footwear, got some provisions and off I went.  I found a route on OutDoor Active, a local guy, it said difficult but i thought, that looks good (I was to suffer for that decision 😂).

Which way to go - marked route to the left or unmarked to right, I know……

Even from the start of the trail te views were pretty awesome.  I dont take too many photos when out and about anymore but yesterday I took loads, incredible views.

As I headed up the mountain I was questioning my (lack of) wisdom of taking the more difficult route (a route that isn’t even marked out on official sites).  It was very tough going and probably outside my level of ability, scrambling up (and weirdly down) shale on very steep sections, quite overgrown in parts and then I managed to take a wrong turn - oops.  Decided to go up that way anyway and watched some rock climbers for a few minutes while I caught my breath.

Headed back to the trail and made my way up again.  Only saw one other person, an Italian guy, really nice bloke who was quite obviously much fitter than me, very toned and even he was struggling. Then a little further on my body started to give up on me.  It was so hot, im also not the fittest for such things, and I thought Id need to turn back, but even turning back wasnt a great option, given how tough the trail was.  I managed to find partial shade and took a time out.  I checked the app and saw the next peak was it, no false peak so let’s do it.  Took my time and got t the top, just before the top was a superman sign on a rock, it made me smile.

At the top I was so pleased id managed it, the views were incredible.  Had a rest and decided id go back the normal route, a very good decision as while still challenging it was much more straight forward than the route id taken up.

On the way back down I saw a couple of derelict houses, quite incredible that people have lived in the location in the past.  

Even further down, but still pretty inaccessible was a couple of lived in homes, amazing.

The walk back along the way marked paths was significantly easier as mentioned.  It also let me take in the views more as I didnt have to concentrate on the paths quite as much.

A cub easier path to follow for most of the way down

I have to admit I was so happy, and relieved to see the car park.  Into the. Van, some cool water and a snack, changed and that was me, driving back to the campsite.  I was glad id gone into the hike prepared.  Proper boots, clothing, walking poles (that were invaluable), food and water all contributed to making sure I got round the entire thing. 

 A couple of times I really did think Id got myself into trouble but im very against calling help etc, why should someone else be put in danger because ive taken something on I shouldn’t have! So just kept going, and thankfully it all worked out.

A brilliant day, challenging but felt amazing to have done it.  A lesson learned on what trails I should be taking at the moment as well. ☀️