as action shots, for a change. Please excuse the abundance of self-photographs but they are useful
in 'fleshing out' the narrative and setting the scene for this section of the Pyrenees Mountains.
The night before, it looked like we could enter Heaven by taking the gap.
'Tip-toe through the tulips'; maybe stay on the whole foot, or four if you have that many.
We realized while lying in bed on Wednesday night what a day we had endured, more likely, enjoyed.
However, what really struck us was the level of danger we faced. We had an eerier feeling thinking of
the earlier risks as we dozed than the actual fear felt on the cliffs. These periods of risk creep up on
one incrementally until something in the mind says ‘enough’. Is that the time to exercise caution and perhaps
wisdom or is it a time of being courageous and continuing? Who knows because it is a matter of judgment rather
than an exact science. Should one feel fearful but succeed, does that mean the continuation had been the correct
decision or the wrong one but with a successful conclusion? It's easy to rationalize most things in life which
we suppose is what makes wise judgment the prerogative of few.
A side view of Tozal de Mallo, with still another 1,500 feet to go.
(See story of our ascent.)
A great view from above of Jen returning along a path, as bright sunshine arrives.
Don't fence me in. These are walls so it's okay then? Heading towards the turn to see what
surprise awaits us.
For once, we believe a signpost rather than our judgment was misleading and so our decision to follow
one direction proved to be wrong but ended up creating much excitement. We climbed up rocks, through ravines
and around low flow waterfalls to arrive at extremely narrow ridges. We felt ‘high in the sky’, a tingling
feeling but on occasions quite scary. Many times, it is one thing to climb to heights but quite another challenge
to return down. Having realized we had taken a wrong turn, we tried another route and discovered some interesting
and worthwhile trails and sights—although trail may be too flattering a word. When the editor began to shiver
in the warm weather, we sat down to evaluate our situation but not before partaking of our usual trail breakfast.
Jen is on a fairly 'wide path' in the context of the hike, some 2,500 feet above the ground
before going up another 500 feet.
Using a telephoto lens, we gaze down at a group that is at 2,000 feet above ground-level, the height reached on
that hike, one we did two days before.
The cliffs are alive with the sound of...fluttering hearts. We went up to examine the technical
climbers' route. Impressive is a word that comes to mind. Notice a 'blue speck in a sea' of some
of nature's best.
Returning from the technical climbers' route, we head for the junction to rise another
few hundred feet.
Breakfast proved to be a stabilizer and we gave it one more try. This time we found the correct path
and climbed to within 300 feet of the peak of Tozal de Mallo. After climbing part way up the pitons, we made
a decision that too much adrenaline had flowed through the body by that time. We failed to make the final
push—a sad moment but there are days when one feels less confident than other days. So after an ascent of
something approaching 3,000 feet as well as exploring a number of different avenues, we put our failure aside
and checked a box in the brain to note we have ‘unfinished business’ in Spain.
A view into the valley; also showing the angle of ascent we took.
Some free climbing as we search for the path.
Jenni loses her shine in a 'dark' moment.
We spent a week at the national park, Ordesa y Monte Perdido and surrounds. It is a truly remarkable place.
In a sense, it reminds us of elements of Zion National Park in Utah. However, it differs in that it has fewer visitors
and they are only hikers. There are no roads in the park, only trails, rivers and of course, mountains. During the busy
summer season, access is by bus or on foot only. From the quaint town of Torla, one rides the bus for a fee but without
charge to enter the park. Of course, there is a restaurant at the terminus as well as refugios (huts) dotted about
the park. We have little doubt that another visit to Spain will bring us back to Ordesa. Like many other parks both here
and in other parts of the world, it is a national treasure.
On the way home although not ready to breath sighs of relief, Jenni negotiates
a steep descent but the camera fails to illustrate it.
A great place to contemplate the meaning of life or at least, how to get down efficiently.
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
Not bad considering the view is from the bathroom. And Jenni wonders why she can't get me
out of there.
The old and very old. The end of the hiking day in the town of Torla, close to the National Park,
Ordesa y Monte Perdido.
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