Hiking
Panoramic view from Roche Courbe (1938 m.)
An exceptional hike from Corps to the limestone ridge between the Pointe de Rogne (1651 m.), the Col d’Aspres (1758 m.) and the Roche Courbe (1938 m.). Wonderfully diverse flowers and wildlife along the ridge path and in the alpages leading to it. The Sentier des Crêtes overlooks the valley of the River Drac up towards the Col de Manse (1251 m.), then the Alps of Haut Provence, and over towards the Dévoluy Massif and the Valgaudemar. The Route Napoléon weaves its way alongside the river. In the other direction, the Lac du Sautet and its dam, then the Vercors plateau in clouds.
Not the easiest climb: steep and once the path became indistinct in the alpages, a matter of “always up”. But a rewarding walk both in terms of the visual opportunities and not having had as long a hike for several years. I hope you enjoy my journey through my photos.
More photos: Le Grand Journal - Col d’Aspres - Roche Courbe (1938 m.)
A dramatic dawn over L’Obiou (2789 m.) that you see from the Route Napoléon near Corps. but clear enough to set off. Hiking up a section of the GR94 from the Col du Festre (1430 m.) above Agnières-en-Dévoluy for a couple of hours I found I was facing the final descent of an organised trail run. There’s a vicarious pleasure in seeing others do what I can no longer do, ie trail running and working in pairs “bînomes”, but I still wish I could still run downhill like that, hands flailing.
Meanwhile the clouds were gathering, the berger and his dogs were bringing his flock of sheep down to lower pastures. The first spots of drizzle started as I reached the upper valley which leads to the Col des Aiguilles and it was a full on cold shower for most of the way downwards. It’s an old saying that there are no hot showers in the mountains, neither out on the rock nor in mountain refuges, bunkhouses and Alpine huts. Still true today. Nonetheless a pleasure to hike on the rocks above the tree line for the first time after so long in the thick air down near sea level during the lockdowns. Onwards and upwards!
The Col des Aiguilles (2003 m.) is one of the cols in sunlight to the extreme left of my dawn photo.
More photos: Vallon des Aiguilles (1829 m.) - GR94 - Dévoluy
Walk through this woodland enjoying the lateral light and dappled shadows, the foxgloves and the thistles; then breaking out to open moorland for a wider view. Brundholme Woods is between the gorge of the River Greta and the slopes of Latrigg, near Keswick.
A walk in to the valley between Skiddaw and Blencathra, more specifically Lonscale Fell and Blease Fell, to the footbridge over Glenderaterra Beck. Then following the beck down the valley to the pretty falls in the valley below Derwentfolds and Brundholme, to where Glenderaterra Beck flows in to the River Greta.
More photos: Glenderaterra Beck, Lake District National Park
Yewbarrow (627 m.)
Path up Bell Rib, Wast Water below
Cloud on the highest peaks so we headed up Wasdale, then the steep path up Bell Rib to medium height peaks Yewbarrow (627 m.) and Stirrup Crag (616 m.), with views over to Sca Fell, Mosedale and a number of tarns as well as Wast Water below.
A bit of a scramble down Stirrup Crag to Dore Head and then a pleasant walk down alongside Over Beck with Brimfull Beck joining it bringing water from Low Tarn, that we had seen from the ridge.
Nearly down to Wast Water and the clouds cleared over Sca Fell, showing the two distinct peaks Scafell Pike (978 m.) and Sca Fell (964 m.), England’s highest mountains.
Thanks to Samuel for a great day out together
