18 April 2022 – Bernia Forat

We had not anticipated how busy this walk would be on Easter Monday

There were so many cars parking was really difficult

Throughout the walk we were overtaken by faster groups

This is a popular walk, and we often pass one or two groups

But never before anything like today

No doubt the excellent weather helped

There were sixteen of us walking today

For many it was their first Bernia walk

The forat is always a tight fit, but more so when traffic is going both ways

And the ledge was packed

But the view was as spectacular as always

We all needed a break after the hard climb

No more climbing after the forat, but rough going

So we needed an early picnic break due to the heat

This is my favourite part of the walk

Helping hand just before we reached the fort

Unfortunately Jan had a bad fall and broke her wrist

A passing Spanish doctor called the emergency services who sent a helecoptor

It arrived within 15 minutes and took Jan to Alicante hospital

An exciting, but painful, end to our walk

 

Time taken – 6 hours

Distance – 9 km

Total ascent – 400 metres

Temperature – 13-22c

11 April 2022 – Col de Rates

13 on today’s walk

It should have been 16

But we had three late cancellations

Two were for positive covid tests

No one was in close contact with them

So we didn’t cancel the walk

Steve and Lesley walked with us after a two year break due to covid

Some were more interested in the views than others

The weather forecast was cloudy but dry

And it was spot on

It started with low cloud over Col de Rates

But we could feel the sun behind the cloud

I thought it might clear up

But in fact the cloud got thicker as we climbed

This was the view from our picnic site

Fortunately Barry provided us with very nice sweets from the UK

The weather did not dampen our spirits

And there was the usual constant banter throughout the walk

Despite the weather a very enjoyable walk

But I do hope the sun may return for next week

Time taken – 5 hours

Distance – 9 km

Total ascent – 471 metres

Temperature – 9-15c

7 April 2022 – Lleus to Pinos

Only nine of us today

We had 17 booked for the same walk on Monday

But a forecast of heavy rain prompted us to postpone the walk until Thursday

Most of the group obviously had other commitments on Thursday

This is a pity, because they missed a really enjoyable walk

We have had two weeks of very wet and very cold weather

On Monday we had nonstop heavy rain and 8c

Today we had clear blue skies and 24c

I had worried that the gorge might be impassable due to the rain

There was some water, but nothing we could not handle

We also had David on his first walk for some months 

This is always a very impressive walk, especially the gorge

But it was particularly enjoyable on such a lovely spring day

And all the more so in comparison to the miserable weather over the past few weeks

This is the first really hot day this year

And most of us found the steep climb a challenge

However the gentle valley section made it all worthwhile

And it was so nice to be able to walk with friends again

A shame that so much of the group had to miss it

Let’s hope that we have now put the wet, grey days behind us until next winter

Time taken – 5 hours

Distance – 10 km

Temperature – 17-24c