Forecast was looking good even if a tad hot! So we decided to head off to the hills for a 2 day hike. Both were long days, made longer by the heat! The plan was to make our way back to the barn from Col de la Core.

We headed off with our great friend Lee, his wife Susie kindly dropped us at Col de la Core making pick up logistics a lot easier. Thanks masses Susie.

We went for an early start which meant at least we could get some of the ascent done before we started to melt. That was the plan but we melted pretty quickly.

We took the Chemin de Libertee via Col de Craberous which is a good steep climb up to the col where we had snacks. A good 4 hour yomp to get here. The steep path down the other side was not as skiddy as we had expected and it was only an hour down to Lake Milouga for lunch and a swim for Breezy, which was much needed.

We then had a relatively steep, short climb and then easier ground up to Col de Pecouch looking down to Refuge Estagnous where it was a short descent down to the refuge. A great refuge, fantastic views, delicious mountain food and cold beers and wine so all was good. We all guzzled loads of cold water on arrival in an attempt to rehydrate before attacking the beer!

The meteo suggested a storm may come in late afternoon on day 2 and that along with the heat we were keen for an early start and were off by 7.15am after brekky. Up in the shade to Petit Mt Valier and then across the ridge to the col before descending on to the Spanish side. We took in a new little peak Les Montagnoles and a wee scramble across to Col della Tindarella. Lots of Issard in this area which is always great to see. It was then a vague path across to Port D’Aula before we began the final ridge up and down across to Port de Salau which is the main col up beyond the barn. We were so lucky today as although it was hot there was a little wind which made hiking less sweaty!

We had a late lunch at the final peak de Pic de Montaud where Spain was in the sun and France in the cloud. Fab views of the route we had taken. Into the cloud which was welcome! and back to the barn to meet up with Susie wine and beer. We were all pretty tired.