TR: HRP – the High Route Pyrenees, June 2022

[Cameron M]

Hello. I have posted my account of my trip to the Pyrenees this summer.
https://www.trailnamebackstroke.com/hrp

The HRP is the acronym for the French name Haute Randonnée Pyrénéenne, and because the route also has Spanish or English names, it is easiest to stick with the generally understood name HRP. It is called a route because it combines several different trails with off-trail sections and alternates. It is one of three ways to hike in the Pyrenees from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean; the GR 10 and GR 11 trails hew to the French and Spanish sides respectively, while the HRP zig-zags back and forth over both, staying high and largely avoiding roads and towns. It features more challenging passes than the GR trails, and unlike the GR trails, the majority of hikers on the HRP carry tents which they use frequently and which allow for more spontaneous camping opportunities. The route offers the advantages of abundant fresh water supplies and frequent opportunities to obtain cooked meals and provisions, and three days is about the longest stretch without provisions.The complete trip is 44 days, known as stages or “étapes”, for a total distance of 497 miles and 139,000 altitude gain. I allot 16 days to hike Sections 2 & 3, containing 16 étapes, not knowing in advance if I could do more than one étape a day or if bad weather might ground me. At the conclusion I hiked 14 étapes, but I also managed to eke out 3 days of rest along the way and climb one mountain, so I was moving a bit faster than the 44 day pace. My total distance covered was 158 miles with 62,300 ft altitude gain.

[Philip Tschersich]

What stunning country. Lovely trip. Well done.

[Murali C]

Amazing adventure. Am glad to see that Altaplex can handle such above tree line hikes. Did you encounter strong winds/storms and how did the Altaplex do?

[Cameron M]

Hello, yes the first night the storm was terrible, and the linelocks were all slipping. I was not happy. I called Z-Packs when I returned and guess what, they have upgraded the linelocs. You can buy them to easily replace the old ones. I think the shelter itself was/is fine, it is just a pyramid after all. I am still getting used to the Altaplex, I am used to spreading out more under my shaped tarp, but I have learned that one must use ALL of the lines out, they increase stability of course but they also add a perceptible enlargement. In in another storm I noticed that they also help stop the terribly sharp loud flapping noises that can happen with DCF.

[Author]

Posts