Flowers, showers and a touch of the sun
Days 5 and 6 - Tour de la Montagne d’Ax
Day 5 of our jolly jaunt in the Pyrenees and it’s downhill all the way as we leave the mosquitoes behind and head down towards civilisation. Perhaps we can get a shower? We’ve not had one for almost a week so one is long overdue.
But first, a floral heavan
We’ve been to the Pyrenees many times before, but always late in the season. After the flowers have gone. Not this time though. Disclaimer: I hope you enjoy the following floral images, but please note that the Latin names may not be entirely accurate.
Blueius accidentalis
Fluffonium whiteonica
allonhisonium
A group of Rockdwelliums
After a few hours we arrived at the outskirts of Mérens-les-vals. A tiny village with a population of less than 200.
The 10th Century church of Saint Pierre (The patron saint of platforms on pillars projecting into the sea).
It also has a campsite and that was where we were headed.
When rucksacks explode
It was so nice to get to the campsite early enough to enjoy it. First thing to do was put the tent up and then, a shower. Ah bliss! Removing a weeks worth of caked and baked on suncream and sweat.
The following day was going to be a big one. 1,600 metres of ascent over 16 kilometres. That’s 5,250 feet over 10 miles in old money. To top it all off it was also a balmy 35°C (95°F).
Within 10 minutes of leaving the campsite we were just as filthy dirty, sticky and sweaty as we had been before our showers.
Steep, but easy going in the shade.
Soon we climbed above the tree line and the terrain got steeper and steeper as we headed for the main pass of the day.
This was our busiest day, lots of people passed us carrying little more than a bottle of water as we laboured up under our still heavy bags containing all that we owned and possibly the kitchen sink. The sun was blazing down and there was no shade for many hours.
Me, looking for marmots.
We dropped down steeply from the pass and entered a long section of boulder fields. Maybe a mile (1.6km) of it and more. Boulder fields are hard work. Uneven, unsteady foot placements requiring full concentration.
Rock and roll. Halfway through the boulder field
Mrs P begins to overheat.
There are many things to look out for in hot weather. Sunstroke, Sunburn, dehydration and heatstroke. Three of these can be fatal, so it is vital to look out for the signs. It is extremely hard to spot the symptoms in yourself because, once they have taken hold, you stop making sensible decisions.
Dehydration is the easiest to deal with. Drink water. But you yourself may not realise what is happening and may leave it too late. Drink before you are thirsty.
Harder to deal with is heat exhaustion. If this happens It is important to reduce core body temperature, which is tricky with no shade and requires you realising that it is happening.
It wasn’t far into the boulder field that I noticed Mrs P was lagging behind. She was not her normal mountain goat self. I waited. We talked and I noticed she was behaving ‘differently’ to how I would expect. She was cooking.
Because we were together I was able to spot what she didn’t recognise. And because she trusts me, when I told her what I thought might be wrong she didn’t question my opinion, but let me help her cool down. It was as simple as taking off her hat, getting some water over her and giving her 15 minutes in the shade of one of the larger boulders to get her core temperature down. Within 10 minutes she was pretty much recovered and aside from a mild headache, we were able to continue.
It is so important to look out for each other in hot weather and doubly important to monitor yourself if alone.
Mrs P was far from in danger, but that could’ve changed quite quickly had she been alone.
The terribly sad story of the death of Dr. Michael Moseley should serve as a salutary tale to us all. Heat can kill. Think about it before you set out, take enough water and be on the lookout for signs of overheating. Michael Mosley was such a wonderful inspiration to many, many people. His loss is a tragedy and our thoughts go out to his family and friends.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg667vn4g34o.amp
Could this be our home for the night?
Oh yes! A room with a view (and a spot of rain).
Within half an hour we came across a lovely little tarn (lake) and decided to stop early for the day.
After a rather cold, but refreshing wash in the lake and a nice cuppa, we ate dinner…
Ah, freeze dried food (again). What’s not to like?
…and none the worse for wear, went to bed. A beautiful, mostly mosquito free end to a tough but equally beautiful day.
A bit of a serious blog this one. Don’t worry, in my next post a mouse falls on my head!
