The bordermarkers of the Pyrenees : all my trips
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- 9 may 2010 -
Deep down in the valley

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 esfr-trip-track-20100509.kml
(click to open in Google Earth or copy link to Google Maps;
click right on this link to download gpx-version
)

Another return-trip with Jan-Willem from the Gîte d'Etappe in St-Étienne-de-Baïgorry. We visit 2 bordermarker-locations: bm143 and bm157. We leave at 9.15am and are back at approximately 17pm. Cloudy, sunny, rain, thunder, sunny again back 'at home’.
For explanation of the gps-coordinates and other cartographic backgrounds:
see my cartography page


 esfr-trip-track-20100509-trip1.kml
(click to open in Google Earth or copy link to Google Maps;
click right on this link to download gpx-version
)

Trip 1: 143

Via Urepel we drive uphill along a narrow road to bm142 where the tarmac road becomes a country road and the Pays Quint begins.
For explanation of the gps-coordinates and other cartographic backgrounds:
see my cartography page

According to visugpx
- distance : 1.51 km
- cum. elevation gain : 196 m
- cum. elevation loss : 197 m
- total elevation:  393

- altitude maxi : 864 m
- altitude mini : 679 m
- altitude average : 791 m
Bm142
Bm142, looking into France
Bm142, looking into Spain
Then: from bm142 descending down the hillside. Last year I couldn’t find bm143.

A bit lower we cross a forest road which we briefly follow to the south untill we realize that it is the wrong direction and the hillside to steep to descend. Back to where the descent (and right below bm142 uphill) is more easy through a beach forest and along an old stone wall (with cairn) and a large boulder.
Both lead you on a sort of natural trail downwards
until the hillside gets steeper. The river becomes audible and comes in view. You might allready see down below a few large fallen trees overgrown with moss, just above the stream. The last part of the descent is more difficult. Besides the trees I find bm143.

The pictures on Robert Darrieumerlou’s site were very helpful. I wonder why I didn’t find this bm last year, I remember those large fallen trees.
While I'm down below, Jan-Willem took this picture from above.

Move the mouse over the picture to see where bm143 is located..
Bm143 is split in half, one side (also with the number 143 on it) lying besides the still standing half.
You can see how the stone is split in two sides and how they fit together.
The numbers are painted red. On Robert’s pictures (taken in april 2010?) they were still unpainted.


Jan-Willem has descended for his own pictures.
Last view down the hillside, bm143 hidden behind the fallen tree.

Move the mouse over the picture to see where bm143 is located.
Back to our car which is a tough climb
but rewarded by a coffee and a cigar.
And from that spot - close to bm142 - , the next bordermarker-locations are well recognizable. See next picture.
Move the mouse over the picture to see where the next bordermarkers are located.

Back to Urepel where we see this sign pointing to the Pays Quint.

 esfr-trip-track-20100509-trip2.kml
(click to open in Google Earth or copy link to Google Maps;
click right on this link to download gpx-version
)

From Urepel it’s difficult to find our way on the narrow & winding roads to Col de Lindus.
A quick stop to make pictures of bm152.
Bm152
On Col de Lindus, Jan-Willem takes a nap in the car while I make a return-trip to bm157. Last year this bm was unfindable and probably disappeared. Robert Darrieumerlou couldn’t find it either.

On my way I make pictures of bm156.

Bm156
The spot of bm157 is quite clear: where the borderline changes slightly in direction.
But no trace whatsoever of a bm.
Back to the car. Pictures of bm154

and bm155 (in the background of this picture).

In front a peculiar triangular stone with on the other two sides a B and V.

Bm155

Bm155

We try to drive into Spain to the Puerto de Ibañeta but are blocked by a fallen tree.

So back to Urepel and our familiair Gîte d Etappe in St-Étienne-de-Baïgorry.

The gîte is nice and quiet. An occasional GR10-walker is either silent or depressed and goes to bed early in both cases.
After dinner, Jan-Willem plays a game of patience and I work on my laptop.
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