100 Fites (Milestones) for disengagement: Walking 2300 kilometres to start retirement
Definition of landmark:
- A stone post or any signpost driven into the ground to mark the boundary of a territory or property, or to indicate distances or direction on a road.
- A significant one-off event that marks an important moment in the development of a process or in a person's life.
Project development
We are two friends, both doctors, who live in Barcelona and have been going on countless mountain trips for more than 30 years, mainly in the mountains. Pyrenees. When Enric began to think about his retirement, he began to draw up a project that would allow him to disconnect from a very intense professional activity that he was carrying out in order to enter a new stage of his life with very different objectives. Basically, this project was to consist of a long hiking route centred on the Pyrenees. Since his family questioned him about carrying out this project on his own, he told Jaume about it. Since Jaume was also close to retirement, he considered carrying out the project together.
In order to fit in with the retirement dates of both of them, it was decided to carry out this route in the summer of 2018. For a little over a year before the start of the "100 Fites" we held many meetings, some of them with the participation of our wives. First we designed the route, which we wanted to focus on the Pyrenean crossing in both directions but with the addition that we would walk from our respective homes in Barcelona and Montcada (a town near Barcelona). Since we were planning a long-distance challenge (Fita or Hito), we would follow routes that had already been mapped out, basically GRs, so that orientation would not be an added difficulty. So, we traced 4 sections including GR (Gran Recorrido) trails. To get to the Pyrenees from Barcelona we would use the GR-92 north which ends at the French border at Port-Bou. We would then link up with the GR-10 at Banyuls de la Marenda, on the French Mediterranean coast, and we would continuously cross the northern Pyrenean slope as far as Hendaye on the French Cantabrian coast. From Cape Higuer we would set off on our return journey following the GR-11 along the southern slope of the Pyrenees to Cap de Creus and return to Barcelona by a different route, so as not to repeat stages, which would combine stages of the Sant Jaume route and the GR-83 which ends in Mataró and in two additional stages to reach Montcada and Barcelona. We had to design some linking stages between the GRs. We calculated that the whole route would take us 4 months, approximately, including some rest days (more or less one per week plus 4 days in Hondarribia before starting the return). The weekly rest day allowed us in some cases to use it to readjust the planned schedule in the event of unforeseen circumstances. We then consulted a wide range of French and Spanish maps, as well as specialised websites, including the official GR-10 (http://www.gr10.fr/) and Travesía Pirenaica (https://travesiapirenaica.com/gr11/gr11.php). We set the duration of the stages to be no more than 8 hours, with the aim of maintaining daily rest periods, but there would be a variability that would be adjusted, whenever possible, to reach accommodation that had the best conditions of comfort and, incidentally, to avoid having to carry a tent and sleeping equipment. At the end of an intense period of study and planning of the itinerary, the project consisted of 100 stages on foot to which we would add 20 days of rest. We then added a stage 0 of about 15 km linking our homes, which we would both do at the start, so that we could say that we had each started from our respective homes. The estimated distance was 2,300 km and a cumulative positive difference in altitude of 103,000 metres.. For all these reasons we chose the name ".100 Fites (milestones)"in a clear allusion to the number of stages, 100 vertical kilometres, the stone milestones we would encounter on this long walk and 100 personal goals in our life. We planned to leave on Sunday 3 June 2018 and finish on Monday 1 October.
Project preparation
Physics
The physical preparation We started it a year earlier and it consisted of outings, usually at weekends, of one day that we would do together or separately. On many occasions we would do some of the stages that we had designed for the route, especially those between Barcelona and the Pyrenees, but also some of the Pyrenean stages on the Catalan section. We also designed and carried out linking stages that were not identified, such as those linking the GR-92 with the GR-10, in France, between the GR-11 and the Sant Jaume path, in the Empordà, between the Sant Jaume path and the GR-83, in the Montseny area, and the one linking the Maresme with Montcada and Barcelona. Apart from that, we had already done a few more stages in our usual outings in the Pyrenees, especially in the Huesca and Lleida sections. In other words, when we started, we already knew a significant number of stages. As the French route was the most unknown to us, it was one of the reasons why we decided to do the Trans-Pyrenees first, following the GR-10 when we still presumed that our strength and motivation would be higher. And, to be honest, it was a good decision.
Logistics
The logistics are based on identifying the locations of accommodation We made reservations for each of the stages about 4 months beforehand, by Internet or by telephone. When we set off, with the exception of the Góriz refuge, we had confirmed accommodation reservations for each of the days. In the end, once we had set off on the route, although we had tried to book three months in advance, they confirmed the reservation for Góriz. On certain stretches, especially in Catalonia, we resorted to the private houses of friends or our own. We had to resort only to a hut not kept on the GR-10. A network of friends and our wives gave us support by replacing equipment at certain points, accompanying us on some stages or even carrying the bags and food to the hut in Balledreyt and Aula.
Equipment
This was a section to which we dedicated an in-depth analysis and a considerable economic investment. We were very clear that one of the keys to success was to always carry as little weight as possible. The network of friends made things easier for us, but it was also very important to provide us with lightweight material and to adapt to the geographical differences that we were going to encounter as well as the changing climatology, as we would start in spring and finish in autumn. A layer system (5 in total) of very light clothing would allow us to adapt to any weather conditions we might encounter. We also provided ourselves with footwear for rough and less rough terrain and that the support net would be replaced. In the end we had to buy a new set of shoes when we reached the Bay of Biscay, given the deplorable conditions in which our boots arrived in Hendaye. As for trousers we carry shorts, longs and raincoats, double change of clothes and set of socks which we washed every day. Walking sticks, cap and 30-litre backpack. In total we adjusted the weight so that it did not exceed 10 kg.
Technological equipment and social networks
One of our objectives was that, given the exceptional nature of the adventure, our experience could be shared. To this end, we provided ourselves with geolocation, photographic and computer equipment, which we carried along the entire route. Although each of us carried a GPS watch (Garmin Enric and Suunto Jaume) we focused our activity recording on the Suunto (Ambit 3 Peak). This device allowed us to record geolocation data (distance, altitude, accumulated slopes, speed), physiological data (heart rate and respiratory rate -through chest strap-, as well as calorie and oxygen consumption) and meteorological data (temperature and barometric pressure). We set a record every 10 seconds of these variables (in the end we accumulated more than 200,000 determinations of each variable). At the end of each stage, this information was transferred to the mobile phone through an application (Movescount). For photos and videos we use a GoPro Hero 5 which allowed for remote verbal control. All the recorded material was also transferred to the mobile phone to a GoPro application and another one for video editing (Quick). We carried a computer which weighed 1 Kg (Lenovo) so that every day we downloaded all the information from the GPS watch and the audiovisual material onto it, to which we added a daily written review and a copy to a pendrive. From the computer, through the Internet, we sent all this information daily to a support team of 4 people who received the material and uploaded it to a website that we designed for this purpose (https://www.100fites.es). In this way, our followers were able to see the report of each stage within a few hours. Incidents were rare, except in some places where the Internet connection was impossible and the delivery was delayed up to a maximum of three days. We also used networks such as Instagram, Wikiloc, Youtube and WhatsApp to communicate our progress.
Due to the large number of devices we were using, we carried a 24000 mAh external battery (PowerBank) with electric and solar charging capacity, as in some circumstances, either due to lack of power supply or difficulty in sharing it, it helped us to keep them always charged. We never discharged any of our devices.
Pharmacy and nutrition
Because of our profession, we designed this section quickly. We included analgesics (paracetamol and metamizole), anti-inflammatory (dexketroprofen), antibiotic (azithromycin), antidiarrhoeal (loperamide), corticosteroids (dexamethasone), injectable adrenaline, sunscreen 50 and petroleum jelly for feet (we didn't have a single scrape).
Two months before departure we were advised by a professional nutritionist. We had two blood tests including vitamin and trace element levels. Based on the results, we took vitamin B and D and magnesium supplements for the two months prior to the route. The nutritionist recommended that we take turmeric in capsules that Jaume took before and during the route. Enric was unable to do so due to incompatibility with a medication he had to take.
Meteorology
We used the clock's pressure log to anticipate weather changes as well as consulting the weather forecast (usually Meteoblue) on the Internet. We also kindly received support from a specialised company that allowed us to get a very local forecast four hours in advance, which we used on a couple of occasions for our decision making.
Route development
Overall we were able to complete the "100 Fites" on schedule. Planning and a large dose of luck with the weather allowed us to complete the stages as we had designed them and on the planned dates. The table below shows the actual data for some of the topographical, physiological and meteorological variables that we recorded for each of the 4 sections of the route, as well as the total.
The timetables we followed were always very similar. We started walking before sunrise, which varied from before 6 o'clock at the beginning to after 7 o'clock in the later stages. We used to arrive at our destination around midday, which allowed us to have lunch, although this was often not possible in France. We would stay at the planned place and there we would wash clothes, take a shower, tidy up the equipment, rest and prepare the material we would send to the website (https://www.100fites.es). We usually had dinner in the same accommodation and by 10 o'clock we were ready for bed.
There was only one stage of the GR-10 that we were unable to complete (Espingo-Loundenvielle) due to persistent stormy weather. The section of this stage that we were unable to complete was completed a few days after the end of the route so that we could add the track to the total. In this way we can present the continuous track of the 2300 km we walked during the "100 Fites".
On the GR-10 we modified some sections in view of the options of the various existing variants. The most important one was to take the variant that leads from Luz Saint Sauveur directly to Cauterets in a single stage. However, we kept the main route between St Lizier d'Ustou and Esbintz in two stages when there is a widely used variant that does it in one stage. On the GR-11 we opted for the 11.1 variant going from Zuriza to Gabardito in one stage and from Gabardito to Candanchú via Lizara in the next.
The reservations of the accommodations worked perfectly both in France and in Spain, including the one in Goritz which was confirmed to us a few days before.
Except for the one day that we had a continuous storm, the main meteorological incidence was the fog, noticeable with the Atlantic influence. This was usually accompanied by a drizzle that was very heavy and forced us to protect ourselves from the water. It was very frequent on the GR-10 from Ariège to Basse Navarre, and in Spain in Navarre and the first stages of Aragon. We also suffered great waves of heat, especially at the beginning and end of the GR-10, which became very oppressive.
Overall, the signage was very good, except for some sections of the GR-11 in Catalonia. So good that on the foggy sections we never got lost. We appreciated the information panels specific to the GRs as well as the distance and time signposts, both in France and in Navarre and Aragon.
The medical incidents We had a cold (Jaume) that required antibiotic treatment, an allergic reaction (Enric) probably due to environmental pollen on a very foggy and humid day that was quickly resolved with a single oral dose of dexamethasone (corticosteroids), a tendonitis (Enric) that required continuous treatment with anti-inflammatory and analgesics and a gastroenteritis (Jaume) that required an anti-diarrhoeal, which fortunately lasted only one day.
We had the opportunity to meet a lot of people, especially on the French side, where the number of hikers (mostly solo hikers, although there were also many older couples) was higher than on the Spanish side. In France we hardly met any Spaniards, while there were many French and, to a lesser extent, English, Belgians and Germans. Some of them we met on more than one occasion. We only met a few hikers who did the whole GR-10 in a row and it was very common for them to do week-long sections, and most of them in the opposite direction to us. In France it was not unusual to come across women hikers walking alone accompanied by dogs. There were also two families with children who used donkeys to carry their luggage.
Conclusions
We consider that the objectives of disconnecting and carrying out a great hiking trip were achieved. Four months of walking in a row allowed for a great journey of enjoyment of nature but also, and just as importantly, an inner journey. The very close coexistence of 120 days in a row was remarkably well maintained. Knowing each other for so many years and tolerance were the best recipe. As doctors, we believed that our challenge could serve as a stimulus for other people around the age of 65, in their retirement, to assume that they are capable of undertaking a physical challenge of this magnitude, albeit with motivation, planning, preparation and good equipment. Of course, motivation and mental strength are the main driving forces behind such a challenge. Finally, we have to thank all those people, family and friends, who gave us their support on an occasional or continuous basis, and especially our wives, Maite and Montse, who spared no effort and patience for us to dedicate so much time to such a personal milestone.
