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Hexatrek

A 105-day adventure by philip Read more
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  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler

    Going high.

    August 30, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    Big climb today. Camping at over 2000m. About a 1600m climb so big day.
    Amazing to be seeing fresh snow after 42 degrees last week.
    Night shot looking out to Perpignion and the Med.
    Good to see Gallagher fences here.Read more

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler
    11

    Up to 2750m

    August 31, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Nice climb up to saddle, looking over to Mt Canigou. Then, a really long descent back down to a lovely little village called Pi.
    Alex going really well after 3 days. She has been leading the charge.

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler

    Saturday

    September 2, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Bit of a bridging day today as we cross to next mountain range.
    Camping at a gite tonight. Some rain so hunkering down.
    Unfortunately, Maree and I are now into our last week. My father's health has declined and we have decided to fly home early. Mixed emotions but will be nice to be home and be able to offer support.Read more

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler
    21

    getting into the mountains finally

    September 3, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We had a lovely stay at a gite last night in Planes. Camped but access to showers and had our best meal on the walk. I think Alex thinks it is always like this.
    An easy but relatively uninteresting walk through farmland and forests.
    Towards the end we broke out into the more open alpine areas. Found a beautiful campsite so a real bonus.    Read more

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler

    Into the big stuff

    September 4, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Today was a great day. A nice gentle climb up a beautiful valley to a col and then undulating past several lakes.
    And then over another Col with a scramble down som steep boulders.
    Lovely late lunch at a refuge followed by an easy walk to a French village on the border with Andorra. The Pyrenees are certainly beautifulRead more

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler
    The beer was the highlight in Andorra

    L'Hospitalet

    September 4, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Today we stopped our walk. We were supposed to do 3 more days but it didn't work out.
    About 1700km achieved but still a way to go. Maybe next time.
    I am currently feeling a little lost. The walk has been a big part of our lives, and it is strange to have stopped.
    Where it finished was also a letdown. Camping between a road and a railway line. Being a Monday so next to nothing was open, so got a couple of beers and drank them next to the recycling bins. Such is trail life.
    Maree and I hitched into Andorra but didn't like it. A bit like a large Queenstown with little soul.
    Caught a bus to Toulouse last night and now waiting for Allen and Alex to join us on Friday.
    After that we go to Paris to see Harry before flying home.    Read more

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler

    Toulouse

    September 7, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    We are in Toulouse for a couple of days. Going to the fan zone tonight to watch the AB's play France.
    Allen and Alex arrived here a day early after hitching out from the mountains.
    Toulouse is a lovely city. It will be fun being here for the game. The French are very confident about winning. We are a bit nervousRead more

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler

    AB day

    September 9, 2023 in France ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    Great day in Toulouse. Went out for English breakfast and then swtched air b&b.
    Quiet afternoon in the air conditioning before walking to the fan zone. Met up with 4 other kiwis and 40000 French.
    Amazing atmosphere and a fun crowd to be part of.
    Very hot.    Read more

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler

    Bordeaux

    September 12, 2023 in France ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    We are in Bordeaux for a couple of days with Harry. Really nice to see him after 6 months.
    Lots of rugby supporters here. A nice atmosphere.
    Visited a small village outside the city today and hiring bikes tomorrow.
    Certainly a beautiful city.    Read more

  • philip caveHexatrekTraveler
    1

    Paris

    September 14, 2023 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    My last post.
    We fly home tomorrow.
    We have had a great trip. I have a few reflections:
    The French and Swiss people have been wonderful. Very friendly and welcoming. I do think we are lucky coming from NZ. We haven't managed to offend too many people.
    The mountains are big. 500m climbs in NZ are pretty big. Quite usual to have 12-1500m climbs.
    The refuges are great. I wish we had them in NZ.
    Trails well marked and maintained. Also well used by walkers.
    Being able to bivouac almost anywhere in France is very generous by the French people.
    I still don't have bagette fatigue and will really miss croissants for petit dejeuner.
    3 months of walking is a long time. Maybe we are getting too old for through hikes.
    We have met and stayed with some wonderful people. i hope we get a chance to return the favour.
    And finally i want to acknowledge my father, Adrian, who died last week. Unfortunately i didn't get back in time to say a final goodbye.
    Best wishes to those still hiking. Hopefully we can come back to finish it.    Read more

    Trip end
    September 18, 2023
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