I’m about to get back on trail, finally. I wanted to either hike the PCT, of which I’m quite sure I’ll never tire, or the Pyenean Haute Route (the Pyrenees High Route). This is a challenging, mostly unmarked ‘trail’/scramble along ridge line and the borders of France, Spain and Andorra. I decided on the Pyrenees, however it will not be the High Route. There has been abnormally high and late snow there, so the already high pucker factor passes will require crampons and an ice ax and the knowledge and fortitude to use them. My plans were more focused on French cheese and small villages so I’ve looked into the other two routes that cross the Pyrenees. The GR10 is on the French side, generally lower in elevation, has the first snow-bound pass in 4 weeks and passes through more villages (and potential for cheese). The GR11 is entirely in Spain, not as many high passes as the PHR but more rugged than the GR10; and the first high passes is in 2-3 weeks. I was hoping to do the GR11 if not the PHR, however given all the factors, I will choose the cheese hike, the GR10. Note: if all goes well, I hope to do the PHR in September of 27 as the end section of the Hexatrek, a 4 ish month hike through northern/eastern/southern France.

I will land in Paris in a couple of days, to wander around and get some jet lag over with. Till then, cheers from almost on the trail.