The
bordermarkers of the Pyrenees : all my trips
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7 may
2010 -
Cold feet
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| From our Gîte d
Etappe in Bidarray we (Jan-Willem and me) make an unsuccessfull attempt
to drive to La Pierre Saint Martin. It’s splendid weather and it
seems perfect for a hike to bm251, 252 and 253. But recent snowfall has
blocked the passes into Spain and we have to give up.
We seek a little consolation in lunching in this restaurant in Montory. |
| Plan B is a drive
from Arette via Larrau and Les Chalets d Iraty to the end of the D18,
close to the bordermarkers 230 and 231. A lot of snow there
too but the roads are free. The sun has disappeared, it starts to
drizzle. |
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esfr-trip-track-20100507.kml
(click to open in Google
Earth or copy link to Google Maps;
click right on this
link to download gpx-version)
Our goal is a
reconnaissance of an alternative route from bm231 to 232 on the Spanish
side. In particular the passage of the stream (Erréka Idorra, just
before it flows into the Iratiko Errékao ) underneath bm231 and the
connection with the Spanish forest road uphill which leads to bm233.
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For explanation of
the gps-coordinates and other cartographic backgrounds:
see my cartography page
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According
to visugpx
- distance : 4.22 km
- cum. elevation gain : 146 m
- cum. elevation loss : 149 m
- total elevation: 295
- altitude maxi : 972 m
- altitude mini : 902 m
- altitude average : 937 m
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First along the forest road to the Erréka Idorra.
The stream is swollen by the recent rain and the melting snow but still
manageable. With bare feet I cross the stream via an island in the
middle, my feet very cold but the crossing easy.
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On the other side I
climb uphill on a open grassy part (with planted trees) and easily
reach the forest road. On this picture I'm looking downwards at the river. Mission accomplished.
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Back again, Jan-Willem waiting at the other side, his camera ready to record my crossing.
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Pictures of bm231 uphill with
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a close look at the
odd stone against it.
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Maybe an old cross
I thought but I can’t find any trace of a cross. |
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Back on the same
road to where bm230 is located, I descend the steep hillside to the bm.
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Stone & cross
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It’s more close to
the river then I remember from last year.
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After the pictures,
I climb back to the road.
This large distinctive tree (and the cairn in front) indicates where to descend to bm230. |
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About 10-20 meters
to the north, there’s a white painted quadrangle against the rockwall
with 230 painted on it. I can't remember that from last year.
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Move the mouse over the picture to see where to descend to bm230
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End of this trip
which tooks us 2 hours (16-18pm).
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We drive to
St-Étienne-de-Baïgorry for our next gîte d'étappe.
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