‘M off….bus wnkr hike.

[Davey B]

Wow, you'll re-read this in months and years to come and the many emotions will no doubt flood back. I think they used to call it "character building" when I was a kid doing some hiking at Yoof Club.
An inspiring read mate.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Thanks for the updates amd terrific photos, I'm pleased you're still in one piece, sort of.
Goodness, what a few days you've had, you've certainly got some tales to tell your friends and relatives. Fair play to you for continuing when calling it a day would be the easier option.
Reading about the help of strangers is always uplifting,particularly in the current political climate, so thank you for sharing those stories as well.
Once you're rested up and hopefully able to continue please keep the updates coming.
Thanks again.

 

[OnHellas]

Wow, you'll re-read this in months and years to come and the many emotions will no doubt flood back. I think they used to call it "character building" when I was a kid doing some hiking at Yoof Club.
An inspiring read mate.

Character building stuff can be soul destroying at times

Thanks for the kind words.

 

[Davey B]

Reading about the help of strangers is always uplifting,particularly in the current political climate, so thank you for sharing those stories as well.

I feel certain that 95%+ of people are good...or at least not bad and these acts of kindness happen day in day out all over the planet....but they don't 'sell' so social media, MSM etc like to tell the shit stories...wankers

 

[OnHellas]

Thanks for the updates amd terrific photos, I'm pleased you're still in one piece, sort of.
Goodness, what a few days you've had, you've certainly got some tales to tell your friends and relatives. Fair play to you for continuing when calling it a day would be the easier option.
Reading about the help of strangers is always uplifting,particularly in the current political climate, so thank you for sharing those stories as well.
Once you're rested up and hopefully able to continue please keep the updates coming.
Thanks again.

If I’m honest, yesterday on the descent I was done. Ready to quit. Wanting to go home. I miss home. I like home. By home I mean my other half more than our house and stuff.

I’ll see what transpires, no point in pushing on and potentially ended up with a longer term injury. There are no prizes for this.
But I’m not ready to go home just yet, who know what will be in. Few days time.
You’re bang on re politics, but out hiking no one cares. Left or right, right or left, you’re just another smelly person with a back pack trying to get to the sea.

Again, thanks for the kind words and encouragement.

 

[Northern jock]

Might be worth seeing if you can try doing really deep massage on your leg, once or twice a day, working the sore area. One good way to manage muscle injury.

 

[OnHellas]

Might be worth seeing if you can try doing really deep massage on your leg, once or twice a day, working the sore area. One good way to manage muscle injury.

So that technique works on more than one part of your body then …

 

[OnHellas]

A quick Sunday night update for you.
When I woke up this morning the muscle was much less sore and with a bit more paracetamol and massage throughout the day, even better now.

So, I’m going to carry on…Yay!!
But I’m going to rest again tomorrow. I also need to g to the pharmacy, it was closed yesterday and today, and also I’ve got a couple of items to post home which should lighten the load by about 560 grams. That’s my Helinox Zero chair (I know, what was I thinking) and a pair of gloves that I haven’t used.
I’ve also ripped out all of the pages from the 320gram guide book that are now behind me. At least 120 grams saved there too.
I will make a difference.

On Tuesday morning I’ll be getting a Taxi to take me back to the end of the last stage at Refugio Pineta ready to see how I get on with the next 22km and 1000 metre ascent/1200 metre descent.
I’ll let you know. Fingers crossed.

 

[stever1]

Hope things work out with a bit of rest.
Could things look worse than they are due to being tired ?

 

[OnHellas]

Hope things work out with a bit of rest.
Could things look worse than they are due to being tired ?

They certainly looked worse on that difficult descent the other day.
I was tired, out of energy and in a fair bit of discomfort.

I’m feeling a lot more positive again and looking forward to moving on on Tuesday. However, I’m not young, I’m not small and I’m not a lightweight..in lbs anyway.
I need to take my time, rest a bit more during each day and take a rest day before I need it. Although that can be made a bit more difficult when taking in to account the weather and where I can stay/camp.
I don’t want days off out in the boonies, I’d prefer to be in a town or at a commercial campsite with full facilities.

Thanks for the ongoing support.

 

[Davey B]

Do you know the overall weight of your pack? (I know there is only so low you can actually go...unlike credit card bike touring)

 

[OnHellas]

Do you know the overall weight of your pack? (I know there is only so low you can actually go...unlike credit card bike touring)

My base weight was about 9 kg from my calculations before I set out.
Thats without water, I have a 1.5 litre bladder, and food.

I have some pretty lightweight gear, but being a bigger chap I have to have a two man tent, a larger sleeping mat and bag etc etc.

Mind you, expensive lightweight hiking gear may have been avoided if I’d not eaten so many pies and biscuits throughout my life….and maybe exercised a bit.

Hopefully I can get rid of the chair and gloves and the book is smaller now so that should all help….more room for pies and biscuits

 

[brut33]

My base weight was about 9 kg from my calculations before I set out.
Thats without water, I have a 1.5 litre bladder, and food.

I have some pretty lightweight gear, but being a bigger chap I have to have a two man tent, a larger sleeping mat and bag etc etc.

Mind you, expensive lightweight hiking gear may have been avoided if I’d not eaten so many pies and biscuits throughout my life….and maybe exercised a bit.

Hopefully I can get rid of the chair and gloves and the book is smaller now so that should all help….more room for pies and biscuits

On reading the mileage you've put in and the climbing you've done you must be shedding a few pounds by now. It's a good job you took in plenty of carbs on your pre-expedition shakedown at Dent.
Anyway Paul, your walk is making great reading, a truly impressive effort. Oh, and keep the wonderful photos coming.

 

[Bigcats]

My base weight was about 9 kg from my calculations before I set out.
Thats without water, I have a 1.5 litre bladder, and food.

I have some pretty lightweight gear, but being a bigger chap I have to have a two man tent, a larger sleeping mat and bag etc etc.

Mind you, expensive lightweight hiking gear may have been avoided if I’d not eaten so many pies and biscuits throughout my life….and maybe exercised a bit.

Hopefully I can get rid of the chair and gloves and the book is smaller now so that should all help….more room for pies and biscuits

Are you carrying sugary snacks to help with the energy?

Your mind will be the biggest battle but also your biggest friend, especially when you start to recognise the signs of your brain starting to tell you to go home (you're tired or too sore etc) it will try and trick you into giving up.
Once you see the signs early you can boost yourself with little motivational speeches to get rid of the negative waves (as Oddball would say). Focus on short distances, next bush, next tree, next village, next sign etc

You are achieving something amazing so rest for short periods and often, drink plenty and eat snacks to keep your energy up (no to much or you'll want a nap).

Absolutely well done

 

[OnHellas]

Are you carrying sugary snacks to help with the energy?

Your mind will be the biggest battle but also your biggest friend, especially when you start to recognise the signs of your brain starting to tell you to go home (you're tired or too sore etc) it will try and trick you into giving up.
Once you see the signs early you can boost yourself with little motivational speeches to get rid of the negative waves (as Oddball would say). Focus on short distances, next bush, next tree, next village, next sign etc

You are achieving something amazing so rest for short periods and often, drink plenty and eat snacks to keep your energy up (no to much or you'll want a nap).

Absolutely well done

Yep, those are the things that I’m (trying) to do/tell myself etc.
There is plenty of water to get along the way.
I could probably do with using rehydration salts a bit more often.

Again, thanks to all for the support and yes, it is amazing…but it doesn’t always feel like it

 

[OnHellas]

On reading the mileage you've put in and the climbing you've done you must be shedding a few pounds by now. It's a good job you took in plenty of carbs on your pre-expedition shakedown at Dent.
Anyway Paul, your walk is making great reading, a truly impressive effort. Oh, and keep the wonderful photos coming.

Dent was easier, and I didn’t smell quite as ripe…nobody said anything anyway.

 

[Jockser]

I've just read Saturday evenings post
Fair play to you for sticking at it, I think in the fulness of time you'll be glad you did
Keep on posting the words & pictures, I'm loving it

 

[OnHellas]

Todays report:-
Ibuprofen & Magnesium tablets
Food stock
Chair sent off BUGGER!

The post office in Bielsa opens from 12.00 until 12.20 Monday to Friday.
I was sat outside after the two successful parts of the days endeavours quietly confident that I’d cracked it.
Well it turns out the the person that travels from village to village to carry out post office type duties was off sick today. BUGGER!

So along with picking me up in the dark the other night for no fee, providing a spotless and comfortable room for two nights more than I’d booked AND serving up delicious food, they enquired in to how much my parcel will cost to post and are happy to send it off later in the week. Oh, and instead of a taxi they insist on taking back to where I left the trail tomorrow morning…for no fee!!

Bloody hell. I do sometimes wonder what it is I’ve done to deserve such great treatment and hospitality. And how is it that I find/these people turn up when I need them.

Very humbling….unless the bloody foreigners keep my Helinox chair, gloves and the postage cash!!

If you’re ever in Bielsa I can 100% recommend Hostal Vidaller.

 

[Udders]

Keep yer chins up! You’re doing a great job. Some stunning scenery too!

 

[OnHellas]

Keep yer chins up! You’re doing a great job. Some stunning scenery too!

The chins are now covered up with my first ever beard, but thanks for the support.
It is stunning at (lots of) times along the way.