Great friends from the village asked us to go with them on an overnight in the mountains. Bearing in mind that it was snowing the day before at the Port de Salau we had to choose the destination carefully. The group was us, Olaf and Silvia plus Miriam (who hiked with us into Spain last year), then two lovely Border Collies, Ice and Merlot.

It was agreed that we would aim to camp at Etang de Milouga and set off from Col de la Core. Glorious weather all the way though chilly in the shade to start with before the sun hit. We followed the GR10 passed Etang DAyes and forked left at the junction towards Cabae du Taus du Valier. Just before the junction there was a flock of sheep spread over the hill, two shepherds and five Patou (Pyreneean Mountain Dogs). The shepherds suggested that we walk slowly. We did, and no matter how much the Shepherd shouted at the Patou, they wanted to meet our Border Collies. After a few tense moments the Patou lost interest and let us through.

The camp spot at Etang de Milouga was great and got the evening sun. Breezy and Olaf faced a dip while the rest of us busied ourselves with “important stuff”. Everyone had dehydrated food and soon after the sun dipped below the mountains Breezy and I retired to bed to let the other chat.

A cold start at 7am to breakfast and strike camp. Then we retraced our steps to the outlet of the lake before following the trail over Col de la Crouzette and on to Etang d’Eychelle for lunch. Back to the vehicles at the Col and on to Salau.

A lovely trip over known terrain and spending time with friends.

The weather gods indicated that a suitable window was available to get away with a tent. Actually it was an app on the phone and nothing to do with any god. We set off from Cirque du Gerac (Guzet) with two days rations with a view to head into Spain.

We left the barn in thick cloud and drizzle and went to get a coffee at Guzet. Nice coffee at the Refuge by the way. We left the van about 11am and headed round towards Cabane Turgilla. By the time we got to the first lake we were in blue skies with a sea of cloud below us. Never having seen a fog bow before this year we go our second one.

The clouds swirled around and followed us up the valley to Col de Crousette and up the ridge to Pic de Turguilla. Descended into Spain to find an isolated camp spot by the lakes about 300m below the peak. Estang de Guilo. Strangely we didn’t see anyone all day.

Perfect camp spot with a refreshing dip. Bed by 7.30pm.

A glorious morning. Breakfast and strike the tent. Descended to meet the HRP route and up to Port de L’Artigua. At the Col we turned left and scrambled up the first peak. The intention was to follow the French Spanish border north to take in Pointe des Trois Comtes. This was beyond our comfort level with large rucksacks and no ropes so we skirted the ridge along to Port de Lladore and on to Estanyet de Guilo for lunch and a dip.

From there we traversed some rock slabs to gain a non-existent path up to Col D’Aulus. On the French side there was a cairn then an immense, steep and gnarly boulder field. After the first horrendous 300m descent we picked up various cairns and then red markers taking us to the Orris de Turon D’Ars and the octagonal Cabane.

Nobody was there so we decided to make use of the facilities and slept inside. It would appear that the shepherds use it as accommodation periodically as well as hikers but we had the place to ourselves.

Not the day we had planned but plenty of good quality scrambling all the same.

Day 3 started with a steep climb up to Col de la Croix des Lauzes on wet grass and rocks. More scrambling north along the ridge to the foot of Pic du Lauzes where we dumped the sacks and climbed to the peak. Retracing our steps we then traversed the ridge towards Col du Seron before dropping off to the right to join the past to Etang D’Aube for lunch. Breezy took another dip before we headed back to the van.

A great 3 days hiking and scrambling explore. Not the route we had planned but still quite demanding and loads of fun.