WH (WK) Preparation for the Pyrenees
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crossed-up
Observer
Thanks guys, it really was a fantastic trip!
The Renegade was running GoodYear Vectors. They're really just 4 season M&S SUV tyres so not really off road spec., (oddly spec'd for the Trailhawk) but I'd expect even a road tyre have coped with the trail where we actually got the flat - I've encountered worse on road rallies in my rally 124 Spider. The puncture in Kielder was a typical spike through the shoulder of the tyre, whereas this was a spilt that was invisible externally but was a jagged rip internally and looked more like a defect to me, perhaps Jeep got a good deal on a load of them! We referred to them as Tom's 'lady tyres' for the rest of the trip.
Thanks for the Cooper video Scott, it sometimes needs these sort of tests to counter perceived wisdom.
By contrast the road oriented Wrangler HP's on the GC seem to take everything in their stride.
More pics...
Up in the mountains again.
The 11th Century Castle of Loarre


Hotel Dom was the most comfortable overnight stay. We were the only guests until later in the evening when some adventurous French ATV owners arrived. We were made very welcome by the family owners and had a full tour of the menagerie dogs, ducks, hens, turkeys, goats, boar - the food was great!
No need to set the alarm for an early start!
More pics to come...
The Renegade was running GoodYear Vectors. They're really just 4 season M&S SUV tyres so not really off road spec., (oddly spec'd for the Trailhawk) but I'd expect even a road tyre have coped with the trail where we actually got the flat - I've encountered worse on road rallies in my rally 124 Spider. The puncture in Kielder was a typical spike through the shoulder of the tyre, whereas this was a spilt that was invisible externally but was a jagged rip internally and looked more like a defect to me, perhaps Jeep got a good deal on a load of them! We referred to them as Tom's 'lady tyres' for the rest of the trip.
Thanks for the Cooper video Scott, it sometimes needs these sort of tests to counter perceived wisdom.
By contrast the road oriented Wrangler HP's on the GC seem to take everything in their stride.
More pics...
Up in the mountains again.
The 11th Century Castle of Loarre


Hotel Dom was the most comfortable overnight stay. We were the only guests until later in the evening when some adventurous French ATV owners arrived. We were made very welcome by the family owners and had a full tour of the menagerie dogs, ducks, hens, turkeys, goats, boar - the food was great!
No need to set the alarm for an early start!
More pics to come...
jeepgc
Adventurer
We referred to them as Tom's 'lady tyres' for the rest of the trip.
And a legend was born, Tom's never going to hear the end of that is he
Comanche Scott
Expedition Leader
Your photographic skills are awesome. Each picture really tells a story.
I struggle with photography, and sincerely appreciate those with "skills". :beer:
Thanks for the awesome pics, and trip info. Very inspiring.
I struggle with photography, and sincerely appreciate those with "skills". :beer:
Thanks for the awesome pics, and trip info. Very inspiring.
crossed-up
Observer
Thanks lumpskie and Scott. Being a keen photographer is a bit of a frustration at times, as you have to decide whether you are there to take pictures, or to actually just enjoy the experience. If you are not careful you can end up not doing either with any satisfaction! Regarding the 'story', the pics are actually a bit out of sequence in terms of the the order we visited some of the locations, its more the order I have been editing them. But I've tried to group them, although they may start to get a bit more random as I get towards the end!
Here you go emkay. Not sure how good your Catalan is but there are some GPS and Google Earth files if you want the exact locations:
http://www.magrama.gob.es/en/desarr...turales/sector-noreste/montfalco/default.aspx
We had to drive for about an 40 mins down a dirt road to get to the start of the walk, which starts at this little climbers' centre/hotel. It was a long and hot walk down the gorge and back, but well worth it.
http://www.montfalco.es/localiza.html
On the recommendation of the owner at Hotel Dom, we took a drive up to some local salt works, including the bizarre experience of swimming in the salt bath where you almost floated on the surface (sorry no pics, but Tom may have some GoPro footage :********
Then it was back on the road again, and back to camping for a couple of nights.
More trails..
About half way through now...
emkay said:
Here you go emkay. Not sure how good your Catalan is but there are some GPS and Google Earth files if you want the exact locations:
http://www.magrama.gob.es/en/desarr...turales/sector-noreste/montfalco/default.aspx
We had to drive for about an 40 mins down a dirt road to get to the start of the walk, which starts at this little climbers' centre/hotel. It was a long and hot walk down the gorge and back, but well worth it.
http://www.montfalco.es/localiza.html
On the recommendation of the owner at Hotel Dom, we took a drive up to some local salt works, including the bizarre experience of swimming in the salt bath where you almost floated on the surface (sorry no pics, but Tom may have some GoPro footage :********
Then it was back on the road again, and back to camping for a couple of nights.
More trails..
About half way through now...
Last edited:
crossed-up
Observer
Some more pics...
Leaving the gated exit of one of the mountain tracks..
..and our next lunch stop came into view
Cooling off
Back on the trails...
Leaving the gated exit of one of the mountain tracks..
..and our next lunch stop came into view
Cooling off
Back on the trails...
crossed-up
Observer
Thanks FNGfromLA, nice to know we may have inspired you to hit the road.
These will probably be the last set of pics, but I may post up some of my dash cam footage once I've been through it.
There were the occasional obstacles to deal with along the way
A view from one of the campsites as a thunderstorm approached.
Our trusty steeds taking a break
We had arranged two nights at an apartment in very quaint Alquezar as a opportunity to give us a chance to sort all our washing and gear out and a break from camping. We arrived to absolute chaos as there was some sort of festival and a wedding in progress, that closed off the central town square, but no one had thought to stop traffic entering! In the end we dumped the Jeeps on a dirt track outside the town and walked back down to the apartment. Then immersed ourselves in the festivities.
The following day we did the gorge walk down from the town.
...
Finally we made it to the Atlantic coats in Biarritz on a bright but overcast day, which seemed to suit the local surf school.
Our version of the Olympics...
Calm after the storm.
These will probably be the last set of pics, but I may post up some of my dash cam footage once I've been through it.
There were the occasional obstacles to deal with along the way
A view from one of the campsites as a thunderstorm approached.
Our trusty steeds taking a break
We had arranged two nights at an apartment in very quaint Alquezar as a opportunity to give us a chance to sort all our washing and gear out and a break from camping. We arrived to absolute chaos as there was some sort of festival and a wedding in progress, that closed off the central town square, but no one had thought to stop traffic entering! In the end we dumped the Jeeps on a dirt track outside the town and walked back down to the apartment. Then immersed ourselves in the festivities.
The following day we did the gorge walk down from the town.
...
Finally we made it to the Atlantic coats in Biarritz on a bright but overcast day, which seemed to suit the local surf school.
Our version of the Olympics...
Calm after the storm.