Hendaye - Lescun
Passing shooters' huts on the ridge.
the Crete de Zazpigagn leads to the final ridge of Pic d'Orhy.
Trumpet Gentian.
Nearing the summit. Walkers in the top left; fence on the ridge to the right.
Wild flowers sweeten the milk of sheep and cows.
Enthusiastic Basque hiking couple from Bayonne, with their two dogs on the summit of Pic d'Orhy.
We're headed for the col to the right of the high peak, which we will cross in two day's time.
Descending Pic d'Orhy. Note the quality foot path.
We had a long descent to our next campsite.
Road or ridge? Di chose the road. Much farther but less uphill before we reach camp.
Cabane d'Ardanae, end of day 7. The cabin was flooded so we chose to camp.
Col Uthu at 1664 metres, early on day 8. We'll follow GR 10 markers for most of the day.
Di resting amongst Arizon, a native flowering shrub.
We're headed towards the mountains in the distance. This was a long day ...
A cowherd and his two sons, doing their thing.
Di and giant fungus.
This short section of green provided welcome respite from tiring walking on rough limestone at this stage.
Following GR markers. The path is indistinct at times through the limestone landscape.
Our 5 star campsite at Le Source de Marmitou (1850 metres).
Alpenglow.
Di warming up in the morning sun after a cool night in the high country.
Pine bud emerging. This little oasis was a pristine alpine environment above the any livestock grazing.
Moss Campion.
Buttercups.
We had a lovely short last day to the end of section 1 of the HRP. Three hours, all downhill!
Verdant beech forest and pasture at about 1200 metres.
This rough shepherd path twisted down ...
... and down and down, ...
... boasting impressive retaining walls to keep sheep from going over the edge.
Looking down to Plateau Sanchese at 1090. Only an hour from Lescun, the end of Section 1.
Herd of sheep on the way up to high pastures.
Plateau de Sanchese, looking back from where we've come.
Lescun, the town at the end of section 1 is at 900 metres.
