Llech and Old Friends
7-01-2019
DAY 13
We departed the Carcassonne apartment this morning and headed towards Gorges du Llech. This canyon was our final canyon and we approached it with a little trepidation. The canyon itself is only 1/4 mile, but there are 21 waterfalls that have different approaches such as repels, water slides, jumps, slides to jumps, etc. There is no water park in the world that can match the amazing thrill of a canyoning excursion and the Gorges du Llech canyon did not disappoint. Considered by many as almost a water park because of the number of slides and numerous natural pools, the canyon is possibly one of the best canyons in the eastern Pyrenees.
We found the parking lot, gathered up our gear and hit the trail for the canyon - we're getting much faster at this process. It was a very steep trail down (which usually means a steep trail back up). Getting on our wetsuits, harnesses, helmets, etc has also gotten much faster. Before we knew it, we were ready for the 1st jump into the canyon.
From the get go, this was an action packed, adrenaline filled canyon. Because we did not have a guide, we had to do a lot of figuring out what to do at each "drop." Generally, we looked at it, discussed it, and then sent our human guinea pig, James, down first. Then we would wait for his verdict before the rest of us tried it out.
One thing that was obvious from the beginning was that this canyon was much different than others because the rock was much more slippery. As a result, it was harder to walk without slipping, but it also meant that the "water slides" were incredible.
There is not a water park that has anything even close to slides as awesome a Llech's. There were a few slides that rocked including one that was a "slide to a jump." We weren't sure of exactly what to do, so we sent James down the slide that looked like it just ended in the air and then there was a pool far below. So, we watched him shoot down the slide and off into the air and then there was a delayed splash. It was clear that there was a pretty big drop at the end of the slide. Once James gave the thumbs up, we each were able to experience it. I can't even describe how terrifying and thrilling it was!
The whole canyon, including the approach and hike out (which was steep and very hot), was supposed to take us 3 hours, but it took our family about 6. Some things slowed us down like the via ferrata cable (and we only had 5 slings), Maya being tentative to jump or slide several times, figuring out how to set up the repels, and just not knowing the canyon. Even when you have a wetsuit on and you are experiencing a heat wave, you can still get pretty cold when you are in cold water for that long. We decided that this very long short canyon had lots of different types of fun.
Because the canyon took so long, we had to pack up fast to get to Sant Feliu to see Paul and Petra. In our effort to get on the road quickly, both Dan and James road the 2 hours in soggy underwear. When we reached the Hostal del Sol, it was like arriving in paradise. There was air conditioning in the rooms, an elevator, tons of hydrangeas, and there was even an outdoor pool. The best part though, was meeting Paul, Petra, Carla, and Anna. My parents had told us lots about them and we have talked with them on the phone before, but it was so nice to finally meet them.
After introductions (and changing soggy underwear), we headed to the beach for a dip in the Mediterranean Sea before dinner. We couldn't believe how warm the water was and what was even more surprising was that our friends thought that the water was cold. Crazy!
Dinner was a bunch of yummy tapas and then we headed back to the hostal to hit the hay. Our room had a big balcony and we only had places for 4 people to sleep, so I decided to sleep on the balcony. It was the perfect ending to an awesome day getting to sleep under the stars.
DAY 13
We departed the Carcassonne apartment this morning and headed towards Gorges du Llech. This canyon was our final canyon and we approached it with a little trepidation. The canyon itself is only 1/4 mile, but there are 21 waterfalls that have different approaches such as repels, water slides, jumps, slides to jumps, etc. There is no water park in the world that can match the amazing thrill of a canyoning excursion and the Gorges du Llech canyon did not disappoint. Considered by many as almost a water park because of the number of slides and numerous natural pools, the canyon is possibly one of the best canyons in the eastern Pyrenees.
We found the parking lot, gathered up our gear and hit the trail for the canyon - we're getting much faster at this process. It was a very steep trail down (which usually means a steep trail back up). Getting on our wetsuits, harnesses, helmets, etc has also gotten much faster. Before we knew it, we were ready for the 1st jump into the canyon.
From the get go, this was an action packed, adrenaline filled canyon. Because we did not have a guide, we had to do a lot of figuring out what to do at each "drop." Generally, we looked at it, discussed it, and then sent our human guinea pig, James, down first. Then we would wait for his verdict before the rest of us tried it out.
One thing that was obvious from the beginning was that this canyon was much different than others because the rock was much more slippery. As a result, it was harder to walk without slipping, but it also meant that the "water slides" were incredible.
The whole canyon, including the approach and hike out (which was steep and very hot), was supposed to take us 3 hours, but it took our family about 6. Some things slowed us down like the via ferrata cable (and we only had 5 slings), Maya being tentative to jump or slide several times, figuring out how to set up the repels, and just not knowing the canyon. Even when you have a wetsuit on and you are experiencing a heat wave, you can still get pretty cold when you are in cold water for that long. We decided that this very long short canyon had lots of different types of fun.
Because the canyon took so long, we had to pack up fast to get to Sant Feliu to see Paul and Petra. In our effort to get on the road quickly, both Dan and James road the 2 hours in soggy underwear. When we reached the Hostal del Sol, it was like arriving in paradise. There was air conditioning in the rooms, an elevator, tons of hydrangeas, and there was even an outdoor pool. The best part though, was meeting Paul, Petra, Carla, and Anna. My parents had told us lots about them and we have talked with them on the phone before, but it was so nice to finally meet them.
After introductions (and changing soggy underwear), we headed to the beach for a dip in the Mediterranean Sea before dinner. We couldn't believe how warm the water was and what was even more surprising was that our friends thought that the water was cold. Crazy!
Dinner was a bunch of yummy tapas and then we headed back to the hostal to hit the hay. Our room had a big balcony and we only had places for 4 people to sleep, so I decided to sleep on the balcony. It was the perfect ending to an awesome day getting to sleep under the stars.
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