07/08/2022 - 27.47kms / 1310m ascent / 2107m descent
I would try and describe what it was like to wake up overlooking Lac d'Oule but I think I can let the photos do my talking!
It had rained overnight so the tent was wet and the morning was cold, but this was a very small price to pay for the peace and beauty of my very early morning!
The sun arrived fairly soon which allowed for a nice breaking of camp, and I had to admire how beautiful 'Superpack' looked with the lake backdrop!
The GR10 went around the North end of the lake and then started to climb the slopes of Pichaley (2626m). Initially the climb was steep, but the gradient levelled out and there was a traverse that gave stunning views back down to Lac de l'Oule.
The day was a lovely blue sky day, which gave clear and beautifully scenic views for the traverse.
I was fascinated by another one of those 'path to nowhere' views!
The path was soon to head to the East away from Lac de l'Oule, and with the elevation the last views of it were really impressive.
The next section was fairly flat and passed through a ski resort's slopes that acted as pasture in summertime. There were some very chilled out cows up here, easy to understand why. If I had a cow's life, this would be the one I'd want!
The destination was Col de Portet (2215m) which takes the GR10 between Pic de Montarrouyes (2462m) and Soum de Terre Nère (2331m). On the other side of the Col was the end of a small road that seemed to be a bit of a Mecca for road cyclists who were taking on the challenge of a long switchback climb! The reward must've been an awesome ride down, looked like fun (the down that is!).
Once passed the road climbers and descender the path started a long descent to eventually get to Vielle-Aure. It started gently, along narrow tracks worn by man and beast into the grassy slopes.
The upcoming mountains were showing over the valley, an indication towards the future days effort!
To my left were stunning views of a long stretch of peaks ending with the duo of Arbizon (2831m) and Petit Arbizon (2737m).
Once round a bit of rough path circumventing Le Serre (2022m) the gently descending slopes started to steepen. This steepening gave no indication of the brutal descent that was ahead! The heat had built a lot and when the path entered woodland there was no air movement, so with the steepness of the descent it became pretty unpleasant! What didn't help was the half kilometre down a track in the wrong direction, how the heck I managed I can only put down to heat induced stupidness! Thank goodness I only did half a kilometre as I'd have ended up in a village, just completely the wrong one!
Vielle-Aure (800m) eventually arrived to my massive relief! Oh, a café au lait sit down and chill out would be lovely I thought! However, it was Sunday! Merde! Nice looking café, but all shut up!
I hoped beyond hope I might be lucky and the small supermarket between Vielle-Aure and the smaller village of Bourisp would be open, but alas no! Thoughts turned to a lunch of my last food supplies - two tins of Filets de Maquereaux A la Moutarde! Mmmm mmmm! I found a bench to savour my lunch and I have to say they were both very nice indeed! I had bought two different brands so at this stage I thought it important to report to a good friend the lunch taste test sensation!
Bourisp (800m) had no potential options of rest or refreshment, but is a very beautiful village.
There was a steep climb out of Bourisp up track and then path to reach the village of Estensagnet.
From the attractive church of Estensagnet there was a bit of old road before some more track as the path followed a very similar route to the road climbing the valley.
It was from here I got the full picture of just how quickly and drastically the day's weather had changed!
I was trying to weigh up in my mind if the sounds and sights would translate into a smashing the storm that was smashing the route I'd just been on! Would I be lucky I thought?
I certainly hoped I'd be lucky looking at developments behind me!
Poor people getting hit by that weather I glibly thought, definitely getting an utter soaking!
The sudden increase in wind immediately removed my glibness! It was clear I was next for the storm battering! It was funny when the torrential rain started with the accompanying thunder and lightning, as I immediately assumed that was how it was going to be for the rest of the day and I was totally screwed! Nothing like positivity Craig! However, I was only treated to half an hour of torrentialness, which I was relieved about as my tree shelter had become totally useless, and trying to keep the feet out of rivulets was impossible! The storm moved on, but a steady trickle of light rain did remain. After my glibness was removed, the biggest shock was a small branch that was blown off a tree above me by the high winds which proceeded to land perfectly into the side of my face. It was me and about 30 trees and that branch was blown off that tree to land into the small surface area of the only face there! I was just grateful it avoided my eyes as hit me at a fair pace!
After my soaking the next village on the upward journey to Col d'Azet was Azet itself! Another attractive village, even after it's drenching!
The path up to the Col was not too steep, and by now the wetness had pervaded me so the drizzle was bearable!
I did keep an eye out for anymore impending storms, but the skies looked 'relatively settled'!
The big Pic de Lustou (3023m) and it's many junior partners provided the view to my right as I ascended the slopes of the smaller mountains on my side of the valley.
Approaching Col d'Azet (1580m) was a relief as I was definitely ready to start trying to get a tiny bit sorted from this wet afternoon. However, I was increasingly concerned this could only be achieved tomorrow! The descent to Loudenvielle (970m) was a speed descent, well as much as was possible in the very slippy conditions. I could see the campsite, like an oasis in a desert. Except this was no desert, this was the soaking Pyrenees!
The campsite was immediately at the village entrance which was great! As it turned out it was a fancy wellness resort that did hikers rates! I had massive terrace all to myself for two nights, awesome! So once set up, showered and slightly sorted from the wet, the only thing I wanted to do was get to the supermarket to work out the mountain of food I was going to stuff my face with. It was to be a feast of epic gluttonous proportions, probably an amount of calories that would sicken people therefore I'll keep the details secret!
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