WEEK 2 TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES

This is the second section of the Pyrenean Haute Route and they will be spending most of their time on the French side and only a few brief visits to Spain. They will be walking in the Parc National des Pyrenees Occidentales the only national park in the Pyrenees and is about 100km in length.
Day 9 was a long slog of 12 hours walking and their first time to climb over 2000 metres. They have decided at present to keep going and not take a day off to rest.
Day 11 still going strong but last 2 days have been very difficult. They have now reached Ibon de Escalor. Today they met an American family at a refuge who have been following this blog site since January and were amazed to have actually met the boys. Apparently they were running around the refuge telling everybody. I am sure it made the boys feel like real celebrities.
Unfortunately disaster struck today. The GPS and Derrick's altimeter have broken. Derrick's mobile phone wont charge from the solar charger and his battery is almost flat now. Stewart is managing to charge his phone so they are reliant on one let's hope that keeps going. Liz has had to make an emergency dash to the post office and send another GPS to a post office address that they hope to reach in 4 days.
Day 12 arrived at Pombie by lunchtime. According to the book should have been there last night so only slightly behind. They climbed to 2320 metres today and say they feel they are going well but are in huge mountains now. Have decided to rest this afternoon as they have a few difficult days to come. I would say a well earned rest now. They met Ludo and Arrie today. Stewart mentions the names like I know them but Hi anyway.
That was wednesday and we have not heard anything since. I am sure as soon as they can they will be in touch. According to the book Thursday they may have had to encounter snowfields,steep slopes with rocks and scree and a traverse of a rock face which is secured with steel cables obviously not for the faint hearted . The book describes it as an exciting day! Friday Day 13 also tough reaching height of 2706 metres at Col de Cambales and possibility of more snow.Good Luck lads you are in our thoughts all the time and cant wait to hear from you keep checking my mobile.