The
bordermarkers of the Pyrenees : all my trips
|
-
9 may
2010 -
Deep down in the valley
previous
trip next
trip
|
|
|
esfr-trip-track-20100509.kml
(click to open in Google
Earth or copy link to Google Maps;
click right on this
link to download gpx-version)
Another return-trip with Jan-Willem from the Gîte d'Etappe in
St-Étienne-de-Baïgorry. We visit 2 bordermarker-locations: bm143 and
bm157. We leave at 9.15am and are back at approximately 17pm. Cloudy,
sunny, rain, thunder, sunny again back 'at home’.
|
|
For explanation of
the gps-coordinates and other cartographic backgrounds:
see my cartography page
|
|
esfr-trip-track-20100509-trip1.kml
(click to open in Google
Earth or copy link to Google Maps;
click right on this
link to download gpx-version)
Trip 1: 143
Via Urepel we drive uphill along a narrow road
to bm142 where the tarmac
road becomes a country road and the Pays Quint begins. |
|
For explanation of
the gps-coordinates and other cartographic backgrounds:
see my cartography page
|
|
According
to visugpx
- distance : 1.51 km
- cum. elevation gain : 196 m
- cum. elevation loss : 197 m
- total elevation: 393
- altitude maxi : 864 m
- altitude mini : 679 m
- altitude average : 791 m
|
|
Bm142
|
|
Bm142, looking into France
|
|
Bm142, looking into Spain
|
|
Then: from bm142
descending down the hillside. Last year I couldn’t find bm143.
A bit lower we cross a forest road
which we briefly follow to the south untill we realize that it is the
wrong direction and the hillside to steep to descend. Back to where the
descent (and right below bm142 uphill) is more easy through a beach
forest and along an old stone wall (with cairn) and a large boulder.
|
|
Both lead you on a
sort of natural trail downwards |
|
until
the hillside gets steeper. The river becomes audible and comes in view.
You might allready see down below a few large fallen trees overgrown
with moss, just above the stream. The last part of the descent is more
difficult. Besides the trees I find bm143.
The pictures on Robert Darrieumerlou’s site were very helpful. I wonder
why I didn’t find this bm last year, I remember those large fallen
trees.
|
|
While I'm down
below, Jan-Willem took this picture from above.
Move the mouse
over the picture to see where bm143 is located..
|
|
Bm143 is split in
half, one side (also with the number 143 on it) lying besides the still
standing half.
|
|
You can see how the
stone is split in two sides and how they fit together.
|
|
The numbers are
painted red. On Robert’s pictures (taken in april 2010?) they were
still unpainted.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan-Willem has
descended for his own pictures.
|
|
Last view down the
hillside, bm143 hidden behind the fallen tree.
Move
the mouse
over the picture to see where bm143 is located.
|
|
Back to our car
which is a tough climb
|
|
but rewarded by a
coffee and a cigar.
|
|
And from that spot - close to bm142 - , the next bordermarker-locations are well recognizable. See next picture.
|
|
Move
the mouse
over the picture to see where the next bordermarkers are located.
|
|
Back to Urepel where we see this sign pointing to the Pays Quint.
|
|
esfr-trip-track-20100509-trip2.kml
(click to open in Google
Earth or copy link to Google Maps;
click right on this
link to download gpx-version)
From Urepel it’s difficult to find our way on the narrow & winding roads to Col de Lindus.
|
|
A quick stop to make pictures of bm152.
|
|
Bm152
|
|
On Col de Lindus, Jan-Willem takes a
nap in the car while I make a return-trip to bm157. Last year this bm
was unfindable and probably disappeared. Robert Darrieumerlou couldn’t
find it either.
On my way I make pictures of bm156.
|
|
Bm156
|
|
The spot of bm157 is quite clear: where the borderline changes slightly in direction.
|
|
But no trace whatsoever of a bm.
|
|
Back to the car. Pictures of bm154
|
|
and bm155 (in the background of this picture).
In front a peculiar triangular stone with on the other two sides a B and V.
|
|
Bm155
|
|
Bm155
|
|
We try to drive into Spain to the Puerto de Ibañeta but are blocked by a fallen tree.
|
|
So back to Urepel and our familiair Gîte d Etappe in St-Étienne-de-Baïgorry.
|
|
The gîte is nice and quiet. An occasional GR10-walker is either silent or depressed and goes to bed early in both cases. After dinner, Jan-Willem plays a game of patience and I work on my laptop.
|
previous
trip next
trip
|
|