Romilly's Pyrenean Challenge. Are you up for it?
Between 23rd of August and 7th October 2011 James Forshall, Romilly's father will walk the 850 kilometres of the Haute Route des Pyrenées from Hendaye to Banyuls in order to raise money for the two projects currently supported by Romilly at Naivasha and Kitwe. These projects urgently need funds to continue the excellent work they do in protecting and educating the children they care for.
In 2001 the walk of the GR10 along the northern flank of the Pyrenees , was hard work though great fun, but the Haute Route promises to be harder, and of course we are now ten years older. Where paths exist they are not systematically way marked, the terrain under foot is rougher, and the weather at higher altitudes less predictable. Although it is planned that the walk will be supported it will be necessary to carry more than on the GR10. Although there are refuges there are also occasions when it will be necessary to camp.
The walk will be a great adventure, wandering between France and Spain along the spine of the Pyrenees, through some of the largest areas of wilderness in Western Europe . The route takes you along ridges, over mountain peaks, through snowfields, alpine valleys and high passes, past emerald lakes and extraordinary views.
The Pyrenees are home to about 20 bears, some lynx, many chamois, mouflon and marmot, as well as red squirrels, fox, badger, ermine and deer. The Pyrenees are also rich in birds of prey: the griffon vulture, the bearded vulture and Egyptian vulture as well as four types of eagle, honey buzzards, Eurasian sparrow hawks, Northern goshawks, red and black kites, eagle owls as well as many other species.
Limited Places.
There are a limited number of places for friends and supporters, who would like the challenge of hard mountain walking to raise money for street children to join James for a few days at a time. If you're not fit when you start, you will not be alone, and you will be a great deal fitter by the time you've finished. You will have earned every penny of the money you raise.
