Day 8 - 21 August: Candanchu to Ibons d'Anayet

We set off from our campsite at 7.45 am and soon crossed the border back into Spain and walked through a very large ski field and the ski resort town of Candanchu.  A sign said that it was already 22 degrees C at 8.30 am.

It was a long downhill drop to the start of the Canal Roya valley track.  The scenery became increasingly glaciated in appearance as we climbed in the heat (again!).  After lunch the head of the valley looked like a formidable wall - how could we climb this?  However as we got closer the track, although steep, became easier than it looked.  Again it reminded me of the Mangatepopo saddle.

The view back down the valley we had walked up

 We reached the beautiful high mountain lake, Ibons d'Anayet (2,227m) at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, after a 7 1/2 hour day (about 15km).  There were many day trippers at the lake but we had it to ourselves by late afternoon and found a delightful camping spot beside the lake.

In the evening horses came down to the lake to drink and wallow in the water.  I was carrying a steripen to treat my drinking water - it was a good idea here!

For me, this overnight campsite was one of the highlights of our walk.

This photo was taken at 7.30 am as we left the next morning.  The "split mountain" in the distance is the famous Pic du Midi d'Ossau in France.