Refuge Manganu to Refuge de Petra Piana
With another tough seven hour day ahead of us and a steep climb up to Breche de Capitellu (2,225m) the highest point on the main GR20 route I express my doubts to Ali about our fitness given the events of the previous night and suggest an enforced rest day.
She is having none of that and wants to get away from Manganu as soon as possible – she can be very determined when she has her mind set. With the knowledge that we have a tent in case we are forced to stop and a full load of water I reluctantly agree to the plan.
Cat and Alan soon pull ahead and we agree to meet them at the refuge at the end of this stage. The highlight of the day is reaching the Breche but alas the view is hidden in clouds. We pass Laurent who is sitting at the top determined to wait it out for the view to clear.
We continue onwards scrambling on a ridge and crossing large boulder fields. Time drags on and we are feeling tired, unable to really enjoy the views. Eventually we start to descend and hope that it is not far to the refuge – alas imagine our disappointment as the way-marks again point upwards and we have another mountain shoulder to climb before the end of the day.
We are slow on the ascent. I begin to think that as long as Ali can make it up to the col I could shuttle run our packs down to the refuge. But Ali won’t be beaten and we make the crest. There our spirits are lifted as Cat and Alan have left us a timely message written in the sand between some rocks.
Its downhill all the way from here and we are exhausted – Ali checks her altimeter to mark the passing of every 10m of descent. Finally through the hill fog we literally stumble into the camp site. Tired but relieved.
She is having none of that and wants to get away from Manganu as soon as possible – she can be very determined when she has her mind set. With the knowledge that we have a tent in case we are forced to stop and a full load of water I reluctantly agree to the plan.
Cat and Alan soon pull ahead and we agree to meet them at the refuge at the end of this stage. The highlight of the day is reaching the Breche but alas the view is hidden in clouds. We pass Laurent who is sitting at the top determined to wait it out for the view to clear.
We continue onwards scrambling on a ridge and crossing large boulder fields. Time drags on and we are feeling tired, unable to really enjoy the views. Eventually we start to descend and hope that it is not far to the refuge – alas imagine our disappointment as the way-marks again point upwards and we have another mountain shoulder to climb before the end of the day.
We are slow on the ascent. I begin to think that as long as Ali can make it up to the col I could shuttle run our packs down to the refuge. But Ali won’t be beaten and we make the crest. There our spirits are lifted as Cat and Alan have left us a timely message written in the sand between some rocks.
Its downhill all the way from here and we are exhausted – Ali checks her altimeter to mark the passing of every 10m of descent. Finally through the hill fog we literally stumble into the camp site. Tired but relieved.
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