TREKKING 7X7

Day 1

Campers begin to arrive from all over. We pick up some from Puigcerdà that come by train, others arrive to camp by car with their families. All carry a huge backpack and some good hiking boots. The campers of Trekking 7×7 are unmistakable. We break into groups and play some icebreakers to get to know each other, and the first smiles start to appear. We prepare our backpacks for the first section of the trek. We also decide what we will take with us and how we will group ourselves. We review our gear, weather forecasts, and the route. The group gets itself together.

Day 2

On our first full day we wake up with the sun. Today we eat breakfast enthusiastically: cereal, cold cuts (turkey, ham, etc.), jam, juice, chocolate milk, fruit, bread, and milk… The first stage of the Trekking 7×7 camp starts in Eina where we arrive by van and jeep. We hike to Pic d’Eina (2,788 meters) and Pic de Noufonts (2,860 meters). Following along the GR-11 we reach El Cim de Noucreus (2,796 meters) and El Pic de La Fossa del Gegant (2,807 meters). We spend the night in a comfortable shepherd’s cabin.

Day 3

After a hard day of hiking some of us might feel a little sore, we use the first Compeeds (wearing new mountain boots isn’t a very good idea…). We have breakfast with our new friends. After breakfast we pack up thoroughly, exercising proper “no trace left behind” practices. We also carry a glass bottle that was already in the cabin. The stage through la Vall de Coma de Vaca is quite brief. Upon arriving at the shelter we have lunch and in the afternoon we participate in games and activities. At night the soft mattress makes us fall asleep in a matter of seconds.

Day 4

The weather follows the forecast: the day starts cool but continues to heat up. Today we finish the first stage of the journey. We have breakfast and we hike down the mountain, passing through las Gorges del Freser. At midday we arrive at Ribes where we eat and take a break. The three o’clock train carries us back to Puigcerdà and we arrive by van and jeep to the campsite. A good, hot shower is what we need. Tonight we have dinner with the other groups. After, we watch a movie under the moonlight.

Day 5

After yesterday’s beautiful 40 kilometer hike we get the chance to sleep in a bunk bed in a tent at 1,900 meters high. We spend the morning at the campsite prepping for the next stage. We have lunch and then head up to Meranges by jeep and the club’s van. From there we hike to El Refugi del Malniu and follow the valley until we reach the unguarded Refugi de Folch i Girona, at Engorgs. The cabin is a cozy place to spend the night sheltered from the cold.

Day 6

We are starting to reach the end of our adventure. Today we restart our trek, hiking up to the peak of La Carbassa (2.736 m). We follow the crest to El Bony Manyer (2.808 m). We stop to have a snack which will help us finish our journey to La Vall de la Llosa. In the afternoon, those from Júnior Trekking 7×7 are having a swim while those from Big Trekking 7×7 attend the survivor workshop and make what will be their bed tonight. Those from Júnior Trekking, despite having a shepherd’s cabin nearby, decide to take advantage of the clear night skies and sleep under the stars.

Day 7

It’s the last day: we’re all tired and want to relax back at home, but we still aren’t ready for the adventure to end. We go down to the village of Arànser following the long winding valley of La Llosa and climb up to the Refugi del Fornell. Mission accomplished. At the campsite we enjoy our last moments together. It’s time to get each other’s phone numbers and take pictures together. We’ll see each other next summer!