The 9th time I got up, near midnight, the stars were out. Storms were brewing in the valley below us. Lightening was flashing constantly, but it looked like we were above the storm and going to luck out.
By 2, the storm was right on top of us–our luck didn’t hold, but hopefully our food will. It was not windy like two nights ago, just the sound of rain on the tent and the whimpering from Pam with each lightening flash. Once she buried her head in her quilt, I slept much better.
By 7, number 10 couldn’t wait any longer. I stepped out of the tent to a blue sky above, sun on my face, rain on my head, and storm clouds 360 degrees around–we were in the eye of the storm. I told Pam to evacuate if she’s able because we’re going to be in the tent for a while.
About 9, the rain let up enough for number 11 and allowed me to make coffee so I could serve my lovely wife breakfast in bed. After our muesli bars and Snickers, I let her beat me at a game of gin to try and brighten her day. By then, the weather had cleared up enough for us to pack up and hit the trail–it was 1p.
The 1800′ climb saved for today was, to put mildly, a complete bitch. We started seeing a few people out, but fewer than 10 all day. We talked to a couple of girls from the Netherlands that were out for just two days. If they had been going longer, we might have spent more time with them because they weren’t too far off our pace.
Our meager breakfast didn’t last long. We stopped at the snow pack at the bottom of the last steep climb for our second spit moistened sandwich from yesterday. I had to ration the M&Ms because someone has no self control.
1800′ straight up, 1350′ straight down, 3.5 miles–it earned a 12 mile on the hiking index. This was a tougher hike than when we went down the Grand Canyon. The climb up wasn’t bad except for the angle of incline; greater than a 45 degree angle for almost a mile total. The down hill was rock scramble almost 90% of the way.
We were going to hike into Gourette today in the hopes of getting food and money,
But with the late start and the slow going, we decided to stop at Lac d’Anglas instead. We reasoned that this is the type of setting we are hiking the GR10 for so we shouldn’t pass it up.
The tent went up in a flash and I was cooking supper while Pam was setting up the bed. We were going to go for a swim in the lake while our supper cooled to eating temperature. Just as I was steeping the tea, it started to rain–I’m talking monsoon rain with heavy winds. It’s a good thing we didn’t hike the final couple miles to the ski resort.
We ate supper in the tent and reprised our gin game. I’m feeling good enough after supper that I might even let Pam win again.
Food is now mission critical for us. We have enough snacks for breakfast and to get us into town. All I’ll have left after that is coffee, tea, and drink mixes–we want to lose weight but I don’t think a liquid diet is the way to go when hiking.
I hear thunder above and Pam is already whining.
Just want you to know how much admire the two of you! I wouldn’t last a day!! Beautiful photos…..
You’d do better than you think. We have an easy day today–only 2000′ of climbing. I’m told the 573 article on us is out but we haven’t seen it. Miss our Friday nights. Tell everyone “hi” from us. See you in December
Wow, both of you are so amazing !
If I were you I might die in the somewhere valley.
But i do interesting tent aside on the river which I have never had before.
Thanks for sharing your experience-
And should be careful on each steps ! Take care of Pam is your responsibility! Hopefully you two have a wonderful Honeymoon!!!
Thank you. We are having lots of fun and are being careful while having fun. Glad you are reading. Maybe we can take you camping when we visit Taiwan. Have fun.