It became a ritual, every year I go to Caldane, the mountain facing the village.
On the post last year on this ride, I mentioned the dream to sleep ........ Caldane done.
During last winter, we decided with Julie (my 10 year old son) to spend a night Caldane.
So I bought the famous tent Decathlon Quechua 2 people (one that opens into 2''), only with this hike, I must admit some skepticism about achieving this goal because the commitments of winter may seem very distant when the summer comes.
During our stay in the village, I encouraged Julie to accompany me for small walks in the mountains ..... without success .... I thought it was fucked up, it does not come with me .
Regardless, I decided on a date, it will be the night of shooting stars, the weather looks favorable.
I question still Juju, almost certainly a negative response, "I go spend a night in Caldane you come?
Juju Answer: "Yes, why ?"...... seem to say why are you asking me this question, You know the answer for months.
We had talked for weeks more of that trek, but for him it was clear it would rise.
The rest of the team: Quentin Illouz (15 years) and my godson Kevin Leccia (16 years) two regulars.
The day before we do a briefing and trials to distribute the weight.
We must plan for 4 meals, plus a 5th in case of problems, wear 2l of water per person (knowing there's a source close to the summit) and bedding.
The departure is scheduled for 8 am (quite late but we have the day to mount)
At the appointed hour, no Kevin, I knock on the door Leccia, Pierre's dad comes down and tells me that Kevin is not coming because he was injured two days earlier in the match football we played and won against Valle d'Alesani.
Patatras !.... what to do ...... a carrier in less and more the older the dream .......... winter fades away .... .. give it to next year ..... I would have one more year ....... especially think about security ...... we do, we do not ?.... ok ......... we do. Quentin will
food and some water, Julien's water, I will take the tent sleeping bags and part of the water.
We have taken 30 minutes late, but whatever, we are super happy to leave, it's fine.
For security reasons and not to encourage others to take, I will not specify here our route.
Indeed, two thirds of the hike are no trail, often in a dark forest, and the final climb before the peak is really not easy to find (thank you Quentin went on to scout we have open the passage).
The drop is still 900m, we have five hours in performing many breaks.
Moreover, halfway, we were invaded by the fog.
When we arrived at the summit, we do not see it at 20m.
After eating a snack, while cutting Quentin deals ferns that we had to serve as mattresses, Julian is responsible for organizing the tent.
quickly drops begin to fall, we are home in the tent, so much for our mattresses, ferns remain at the entrance to our cabin.
We benefit from thinning to go to fill up with water from the spring located below the other slope to 15 minutes.
A shepherd has built several shelters in the vicinity of water.
Back at camp, Quentin will retrieve branches for the evening fire.
We are somewhat frustrated because the valley is under the clouds, it's beautiful lorqui we look towards the sea, the colors blend, but we do not perceive the villages ...... they're satisfied.
In the evening, a relatively Frisque wind gets up, we light the fire quickly well protected, for we share a warm and also toast the bread that we used for sandwiches.
Then we spend the evening after the shooting stars and try to see Nettle, in vain.
Sunset to 23.30.
Julien wedge between the other two, happy to be there ,.... there words that were uttered that day than any dream dad to hear of a child.
The night was short and very uncomfortable. Without the ferns that were to serve as mattresses, the ground was very hard and strewn with stones.
Breakfast consists of energy bars, paté, bananas ...
Around 9 o'clock we were visited by the shepherds. Nous pensions qu'il we just make a few remarks, because yesterday, I asked Quentin and Julian of the camp away his flock of sheep (400 head) for not having the night disturbed by the bells.
Maybe also because we had a fire?
None of this, we had a great time chatting and he told me that was not Caldane Caldane.
Baths Caldane is located approximately 300m below the southern side (side Bozio)
It seems that the Romans liked the place.
Caldane The current one which is marked on the maps, still was appointed by former "....." verdi (I can not remember exactly the name given by the shepherd), but the French translation is "very green place" very good for grazing.
We left around 10 am the shepherd, leaving him on his mountain and surrounded by his flock.
He invited us to spend a night in the shelter next year, it has felt a touch of nostalgia in him, regretting that no one in his village (Pianello) does not rise.
I must say I have great admiration for these people, who live simply and are in perfect communion with Nature.
remains three months in the mountains and performs daily 2hr walk to reach his flock.
Hats off Mr. Le Berger.
For the return (4 hours) we borrowed the path marked by the Via Romana, this mad race held annually in Castagniccia (departure and arrival of Carpineto).
In 2006, the large loop was 58km and over 3300m of vertical amount. You have to see where to spend the Competitors to understand the enormity of the feat.
We paused at the shelter Orticaggio, the descent was long for my poor knees, thank you for having me and Julien Quentin expected.
Check the neck of Arcarotta, tasting ice.
"I winnowed, the last time I go for sure," but now in mid-October, all I want is to go back there.
For a day hike in the Caldane safely, the weather should be favorable.
In summer, starting at 6:30 and Col d'Arcarotta take the route of the Via Romana (opposite direction of our return trip).
I strongly discourages people unfamiliar places to venture without a guide for this hike as there is a risk certain to lose primarily because of the multitude of orange and pink markings on Via Romana .... careful not to end up in San Petrone!!
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