09/24/2023 Bikepacking Spain Day 47 : Arriba, pues!

by Brian · Published September 24, 2023 · Updated March 3, 2024

Photos:

25 second exposure… gives you an idea of how dark it was in the canyon. Perfect light for waterfall photography. —

Today was all about the climbing. It was a lot but it ended up being easier than expected - even though it was steep. The mountains here are still high, but they aren’t quite as dramatic as the alpine look we had further East. We have pushed so far West that we are at the edge of the time zone. The sun comes up late, but still stays up late. Tomorrow or the next day, we will change our clocks because we cross into Portugal. 🇵🇹

Some happy times; the weather is nice now. Quite cold in the mornings (41F in the morning)… but 75F in the afternoons. Clear skies making me happy. This trip has been great so far, but finally having good weather really helps make it easier to enjoy. —

Oh, add on caption. Last night (tonight in this posting) we were invaded by a mouse! They always sound so “big” when they make loud crunching noises. It’s always a surprise to see a little blob with beady eyes. Amazingly, I was able to plug up all the entries with sticks and bits of trash. It snuck in via two places, but after about an hours work, I got it out and it did not Come back.

In the last town, we both agreed, “lots of food stops coming up so we can just do a light stock-up on food”. As we climbed, the terrain started looking remote and we actually looked at the map. Oops! No food for a while! Luckily, we found a coffee stop where Janet could fuel up in Pringles. Then I could eat her low carb cheese. —

This is our camp for the night. We were so happy to find it; there is water, picnic tables and sun here. So often we camp without water which makes it quite a bit more challenging. In fact, this would be listed as “primitive camping” in some guides, but to us it is pure luxury. I washed and dried my clothes and we relaxed - stoped at 4pm. It felt great to enjoy a quiet “park”. No one here and the road had 1 car per hour. I’m so happy that Janet likes primitive camping - she grew up camping at basic sites and she is completely agreeable with almost any campsite. —

Strava Comments:

Janet W.

I loved our private campsite too. I’m glad you stopped for water just before refugio and we checked the map. We would have ridden right by it. Thanks for chasing that mouse out of the house! 🐁

John M.

Strong effort! So much climbing with the weight you are carrying!

Judy I.

Corrine: very nice journal and photos! It’s harder to organize for a group, but that one was a good size. Did the huts have electricity or just propane? (I am totally over the hill and e-bike dependent!)

Corrine L.

Judy Isvan no electricity at huts. They are pretty rustic. But wonderful!

Ann L.

I know how much you enjoy finding waterfalls and this one looks nice! Great job mouse proofing your home for the night! Pringles, now those are a blast from the past!

Paula G.

It always amazes me how you can exert all the energy that you both do, on such small amounts of food. Great find for the evening! You are lucky that you were able to keep the mice out. We had some mice at the cabin and had the hardest time mouse proofing it!! There is spray foam in some of the stranges places there now.