No Switchbacks, Just Up

10:08 AM

Took it very easy: ate a stir-fried egg with bread and a big cup of tea. Then I called home for a bit, because Aimee is back home again from her Camino del Primitivo. After that, it was time to head out.

Because of a forest fire, I had to take an alternative route. It took me an hour of bushwhacking, searching for a trail. After collecting a few scratches from the blackberry bushes, I decided to turn back and look on the other side of the highway.

That didn’t go smoothly either, because I ended up along the railway tracks, which obviously can’t be the idea 🤔. In the end I just walked along the road, and at some point I found a junction leading to a bike path.

10:47 AM

What’s that rustling sound? What kind of large thing do I hear moving through the undergrowth?

The trail I had mapped out is closed as well, damn it. On to the next one then.

12:05 PM

Hehe, I’m finally on the right path. There are lots of day hikers, so the trail is well maintained.

I’m walking through a gorge and give priority to everyone who’s trying to descend with their backs against the rock wall, while I have to balance with my toes on the very edge. You’re welcome!

12:59 PM

🤣🥳 The ledges are getting narrower and steeper. This is really a route made for me!

2:11 PM

2:12 PM

Hey, a little waterfall! Oops, it turns out to be a big waterfall, and I’m walking behind it 😍.

2:17 PM

The water rushes past you. The ground vibrates, and a mist of damp droplets fills the space. A rainbow in the valley shows nature at its most powerful.

You realize once again how small you are.

2:29 PM

7:52 PM

Not great 🤨. I still have 1,000 meters of climbing to go and I’m getting pretty tired now. No switchbacks, just straight up.

I’m completely wrecked 🥴. I crawled the last 2.5 kilometers and played some comedy on Spotify to keep my morale up. I jump when two hikers say I’m almost there. Fantastic, thanks 🙇‍♂️.

With my last bit of strength, I pitch the tent and change all my clothes. I’m hypothermic from the heavy exertion. In a flash, I put on all my down layers, make sugar water, and eat a tuna wrap to warm up. It takes an hour before I can stand again. I shouldn’t experience this too often.

Total: 27.12 km in 9:02 hours
1,439 m up
209 m down