GR20 Trek Corsica Completed (Jarvain)

I have just returned from one of the hardest and most famous of treks across the mountain ranges of Corsica, it is a 200 mile (approx) hike across extreme raw mountainous terrain (un-pathed) and in no way should it's difficulty be underestimated. It travels from Calenzana in the north to Conca in the south, it normlly takes 15 days, we took 13 by doubling up on the stages twice in a row.....not to be recommended.



Accomidation is in mountain refuges or camping. I started on the 31st of May....The gaurdians vary in there characters but at the end of the day they are French and with that said they seem moody and rude but in general they are good hardworking people....respect them and learn a tad of french....!!!

http://corsica.forhikers.com/gr20 - for more information

We experienced severe weather of all kinds, extreme cold, deep snow, white outs, sleet, howling winds, slashing rain as well as stunning sunshine all at altitude. I say we, although I travelled alone I met up with some fantastic people all mentioned in the video at the bottom.



I could go on and on about this trek, but you can do your own research online, and there is no real need for me to repeat the information already available online but.....heres my imput....fresh from my return.



The guide books say its easy - bollocks, none of this is easy, every sodding day its hell, and I was carrying a light sack too 18Kg with 3 litres of water, and I am fit, if your not fit, forget it, this route will chew you up and spit you out big style, it will play with your head and will exhaust you on a daily basis....never believe anyone that tells you its easy....this route will stay in your mind for a long time....the pain will not be forgotten....but then neither will the rewards and the stunning beauty and sights you will see.



To be fair you dont even need a guide book and you dont need maps and this is from someone who took both and hardly used them, anyway someone else will have one so you could ask to look at theirs....



One a lighter note, the refuges turn into the worst male slumber party you can imagine with the snoring and farting champions from all of the countries present.



I would recomend a tent I took one and the nights I slept in it were way better than nights in the refuges.....and when its been raining you can imagine the carnage with all ensundry trying to vi for drying space for there gear....its comedy alright but when you need to sleep not so funny....



I am English and in the UK I would eat a substantial breakfast before taking on a days hiking the French, eat a peice of bread and jam, with coffee.....what madness!!!....theres is no porridge anywhere and I asked everywhere...bring your own. So within days of this you are starving, dont buy western foods at the refuges the prices have been tripled...do as the french do, buy the pork sausages and the bread and local cheese, buy nougat and choc for energy....copy the french diet albiet a tad different it will get you through the worst days and when your starving youll be amazed at what you'll eat......



Do bring chlorine tablets for the water just to be on the safe side the day after I did not use them, I sprayed all over some tree, I do not want the same to happen to you.....you have been warned. !!!!



But hey lets be honest here, I have seen some of the most stunning sights and my memories are strong colourful and vivid the people I have met were fantastic and legendry there were tears and there was fear amoungst all at certain points, but by pulling together we all made it through the tougher northern sections together considering there was alot of snow at key points.



There were - 2 Belgians (Jan & Rea), 2 Kiwis (Stuart & Juanita), 2 French (Francios & Harvey) and me the Scotsman....but alas after Vizzavona I was alone for a while until me and Eric the Flying Dutchman completed the trek in true style with the Mexican and sons close behind......the GR20 route it seems had taken some early scalps already....as others were never seen again....



The hardest thing for me on the trek was the incessant and unrelenting slog that seem to start most days it is steeper and harder than any photo shows, you must spend at least 30% of your day looking at your feet ha ha - try not of course, and then when you think relief will be offered in the form of some downhill - forget it thats even worse....all you want after 3 days is a flat world....but you dont get what you want......I have no regrets and I have had some awesome experiences but I will never allow the term 'easy' to be used in this treks description....its a killer.



Let the pictures do the talking and please watch the video to get a better feel for what the GR20 can do to you....and for you....



Thanks to all the fantastic people I met on the tour you know who you are and you will always be in my thoughts -I am truly grateful for all of your help and kindness.....





The final summit before dropping down to Bavella, no we didnt push over the cross..



By the way this is what it did to me....it will be no different for you..heh heh..



This is the North section video - south will follow...south will be funnier !!!!