Suggestions

If you are not experienced with hiking in a high mountain area and you have doubts, the following information could be useful:

The Material

On the route we should take only the necessary material (not more nor less)

  • Soft hiking boots.
  • Socks
  • Shorts
  • Pants / Trousers
  • Under Wear
  • Short sleeve t-shirt
  • Long sleeve t-shirt
  • Thin polar fleece shirt
  • Waterproof wind breaker (jacket)
  • Gloves
  • Sunglasses
  • Head lamp
  • Small first-aid kit
  • Water bottle / camel-back
  • Hat
  • Wool hat
  • Knife
  • Sun screen lotion
  • Anti mosquito lotion
  • Compeed


Senyalització

Extra clothes

  • Socks
  • Under wear
  • T-shirt

The route

The Carros de Foc circuit is in a high mountain area. There is an abundance of granite boulders and rocks. The route is marked, but it is necessary to pay attention and to know how to follow the markers of the trail. This is one of the attractions of the high mountain area. Fortunately it is still virgin terrain and there are no signs like found on the highways.

Difficulty

The difficulty, like always, is related to the physical conditioning and individual characteristics of each mountaineer.

The great advantage of the Carros de Foc circuit is that the mountaineer has 9 high mountain refuges along the route which serve as logistic assistance and a place to rest. This ensures that the stages can be personalized.

Remember that it is wiser to be prudent than too optimistic by staying one night more in a refuge to avoid arriving too late, tired or angry to the next refuge.

The refuges

The refuges are sport based facilities designed to help develop mountain based activities. They are in isolated locations and don’t offer the comforts that other establishments offer in urban areas.

When arriving to a refuge we don’t expect to find a hotel. We will find a high mountain refuge. As a result the way things are done and the services available are not better or worse than those of a hotel. They are simply different.

We sleep with more people. We share bathrooms and showers. We will all eat at the same time. We will be responsible for our own material. We will eat breakfast early. There may be some other thing which will appear uncomfortable, but on the other hand you will meet new people and this is always good.

The climate

In the Pyrenees the temperatures can change abruptly. Snow in the summer is not a strange occurrence. During the day it can be hot, but at night the temperatures drop and it’s necessary to layer up.

It’s important to research the forecast prior to departure.