6 a.m., light in the tent, birds chirping, and nerves running high. We haven’t slept at all—worried about forgetting something, wondering if the group will move too fast and have to wait for us, or whether to wear long pants or shorts. It was a cold night. Our heads and hearts are racing, but it’s comforting to know we’re definitely not the only ones feeling this way.

We’re starting the first stage of the trek, setting out from the camp at Cap del Rec and heading to the Claror Refuge in Andorra—first stage and we’re already crossing a border! The route covers 13.72 km with 717 meters of elevation gain, giving us a first taste of the challenges in altitude and navigation ahead. We’re so excited for this expedition!

Throughout the day, we pass the Pradell Refuge, the waterfall at Planell Gran, the Petit and Gran de la Pera lakes, the Perafita Pass, and the Estany de la Nou. The terrain, with moderate technical difficulty, helps us find our pace and gradually adjust to mountain conditions.

Once we’re settled in, we start preparing dinner and organizing ourselves for the days ahead. Slowly, we begin to adapt to the rhythm and early routines of camp life. The nerves are starting to fade.

It’s a bit harder to get up this morning—sleeping in a mountain shelter definitely makes a difference. Luckily, we had the whole place to ourselves.

We kick off the day with a long, steady descent from the Claror Refuge down to the town of Escaldes—over 5.5 km with a 1,097-meter drop. It’s a tough stretch, and the downhill seems never-ending. Our legs and backs aren’t quite used to it yet, but we’re confident we’ll start feeling better as the days go by.

Even so, we’re in good spirits. We’re starting to get used to the terrain and finding our rhythm.

In Escaldes, we take a quick break to stock up on supplies and get ready for the second leg of the day: the climb up to the Comapedrosa Refuge, in the Arinsal Valley. It’s a shorter hike, but definitely more intense. We can feel the fatigue setting in, and the afternoon heat doesn’t help—our legs are starting to say “that’s enough.” We’ve still got a ways to go before we’re feeling strong and fully in shape.

We’re also getting to know each other better as a group, naturally slipping into different roles. It’s only day two, but it already feels like we’ve been friends forever.

Finally, we make it to the Comapedrosa Refuge. We wrap up the day with some well-earned rest and the satisfaction of finishing a full day of hiking—two very different, but totally complementary stages.

Today we kick off the day bright and early—time to take on one of the toughest stages of the trek: the climb to the summit of Pic de Comapedrosa, the highest peak in Andorra at 2,945 meters.

We fuel up with a big breakfast from Margarette—toast with jam, yogurt and fruit, cereal, juice, and coffee. Honestly, it feels like we’re eating at a 5-star hotel. And speaking of stars, you wouldn’t believe how many we saw last night from up here… easily a 10,000-star hotel!

Backpacks on, boots laced tight, we look up—the summit looks far, and the rocky trail doesn’t exactly look inviting. But the challenge fires us up, and we set off with energy.

The climb is steady and technically tough, with a steep incline that keeps our legs working hard the whole way. Step by step, we push onward and upward. The final stretch is the hardest, but the views all around us are absolutely worth it.
Summit! Our first big goal: achieved!

After a well-earned break, we begin a long descent of over 1,100 meters down to Pla de Boet, back on the Catalan side of the border. The downhill demands focus and control, especially in the early part—we actually thought the climb would be the toughest part! Those of us with hiking poles are definitely feeling grateful.

Crossing the natural border of the Pyrenees, the landscape shifts again. We enter a new valley filled with wide open meadows and thicker forests—it feels like we’ve stepped into a whole new world.

We wake up tired from yesterday—our legs definitely feel it. Today’s going to be another tough day, and our minds are put to the test. Will we conquer the summit of Pica d’Estats at 3,143 meters? It’s one of the most iconic peaks in the Pyrenees. The weather’s on our side, and the views are incredible, but we still feel a bit of respect (and maybe a little nervous!).

Breakfast gives us the boost we need, and we set off from Pla de Boet full of energy and excitement. We’re traveling light today—leaving our big backpacks and camp behind since we’ll be spending another night at the Pla. Without all that weight, it almost feels like we’re floating.

But the climb isn’t easy—a positive elevation gain of over 1,300 meters puts both our bodies and minds to work. Up and up we go, always climbing.

The path is tough, with rocky stretches, narrow trails, and steep slopes that really push us. Even though it’s challenging, we keep a good pace—thanks to the lighter load—and step by step, we reach the summit of Pica d’Estats. The view from up here is absolutely stunning, with a full 360-degree panorama of the Pyrenean peaks. Somebody with energy, grab a photo!

After celebrating our success, we start the descent on the same path. Even though it’s faster going down, it still requires focus to avoid slips or injuries. The hike back to Pla de Boet is intense, but we arrive smiling, our hard work written all over us.

Day 5

Recovery Day!

Today’s all about taking it easy and recharging after the past few intense days. We wake up relaxed, enjoy a good breakfast, and head to Camping de Graus—a perfect spot surrounded by the beautiful Pyrenean nature where we can kick back and soak in the amazing views. The mild temperature and fresh mountain air help us completely unplug from the trail.

The day is dedicated to physical and mental recovery. Some of us stretch out, take a short walk around the area, or just chill in the tents. It’s also a great chance to share stories, play cards, reflect on the challenges we’ve faced so far, and gear up for the stages still ahead.

In the afternoon, we have an info session to review the plan for the coming days. We answer questions, check maps, and make sure everyone’s in good shape to keep going. Dinner is a delicious mix of local dishes—a perfect moment for the whole group to come together, swap stories, and laugh about all the adventures we’ve had so far.

We’ve only been together for five days, but it already feels like we’ve been friends forever. Our daily routine is becoming second nature—day-to-day tasks just flow, and setting up or taking down tents takes no more than five minutes. Our backpacks are full again, stocked with food after yesterday’s resupply in Graus. Our legs and hips are definitely feeling the weight!

We hit the trail heading towards the Cabana de Guerossos—10 km ahead and a 1,334-meter climb. It’s no small feat, but we’ve got all day, so we just keep moving. The sun’s beating down on us, and after a few hours, we take a break at the Noarre waterfall. The water’s freezing cold, but it helps cool us down and refreshes us for the next part of the hike.

By mid-afternoon, we arrive at the cabin. It looks like something straight out of a postcard—small, cozy, and tucked away in the middle of the forest. It’s the perfect spot to spend the night indoors, especially since the clouds look like they might bring a little drizzle. We settle in, get comfortable, and start prepping dinner. Today, we have plenty of options! We finally decide on mashed potatoes with tuna and sausages—so good! We devour it all in no time. Maybe everything tastes better in the mountains—is it the company? The exhaustion? Or just the magic of being out here? Tomorrow, more adventures await!

Today’s a big one—a challenging route awaits us, taking us from the Cabana de Guerossos to the Certascan Mountain Hut. We pack up our stoves, load our backpacks, and start hiking through black pine forests, past mountain lakes, and across rocky slopes, all the way to the base of Pic de Certascan. Standing tall at 2,853 meters, it’s one of the major climbs of our journey.

The ascent is no joke—the trail gets tougher as we approach the final section, with a steep, somewhat technical climb and a bit of scrambling to reach the summit. We’ve been hiking for days now, but the scenery still leaves us speechless. The effort is totally worth it—once we reach the top, we’re treated to breathtaking panoramic views of the Pyrenees in all their glory.

After soaking it all in, we make our way down to the nearby Refugi de Certascan, a cozy mountain hut that welcomes us with just the right dose of warmth and comfort to recharge after a demanding day.

The trail today was technically tough, but the group really pulled together helping each other out and sticking close through the trickiest parts. Resting at the refuge feels so well-earned. We take some time to share the day’s stories, go over the next stages of our trek, and just relax, getting ready for whatever adventures come next.

Today we leave the Certascan Mountain Hut behind and begin a long, technical descent toward the Montalto Dam. The route isn’t especially long, but it really tests our focus and stamina, with rocky terrain and steep slopes that demand our full attention.

As we lose altitude, the scenery shifts, from high alpine meadows to dense, damp forests surrounding the valley. Halfway down, we take a quick dip in an icy stream and keep going. We don’t come across a single person all day. These landscapes are absolutely breathtaking, we wish we could share them with everyone back home. But wow, civilization feels far away right now! We’ll have stories to tell when we’re back.

Despite the tiredness from the past few days, we keep a steady pace. Our legs are definitely feeling it, but we arrive with the satisfaction of having completed a tough and technical stage.

Tomorrow, we’re looking forward to a well-deserved rest day in the Vall d’Aran. We really need it, and we’re waiting for it.

Day 9

Recovery Day!

After several intense days on the trail, today is a rest day at Camping Verneda in the Vall d’Aran. This break gives us a chance to slow down, take care of our bodies, and recharge for the final stretch of the expedition.

We use the day to do a good laundry load, check our gear, and enjoy some downtime in a peaceful, well-kept spot. There’s also time for a long, warm shower, a hearty meal, and relaxed chats with the group.

Even though it’s a physical pause, this rest day is an essential part of the journey, it helps us to get ready with fresh energy and clear minds for the challenges ahead.

We leave behind the Artiga de Lin Refuge to start one of the toughest and most spectacular days of the expedition, taking us to the Renclusa Refuge, right at the foot of Aneto (3,404 m), the highest peak in the Pyrenees. This day is all about a big climb and a high mountain environment that demands constant focus and effort.

Although the distance isn’t very long, the route is technically challenging, gaining over 1,000 meters of elevation in just a few kilometers. We cross rocky areas, scree slopes, and high-altitude forests, with views getting more and more incredible as we approach the refuge.

We keep a steady pace, staying focused. Our legs are used to the walk now, and our hips don’t feel the weight of the backpacks as much. Physically, we feel stronger than ever, and it almost feels like the mountains have become a part of us.

Once we reach the Besurta parking lot, we drop off all our big backpacks and extra gear at a small café so we can travel lighter the next day. Planning starts now—everything we do is with tomorrow in mind. Here we also meet Marçal, our guide for the challenge ahead. He knows the area like the back of his hand and brings our boots and some other gear we had left at camp on day one.

We continue upward, and in 45 minutes we’re at the refuge. Suddenly, there’s a glacier right in front of us—it’s breathtaking.

It’s mid-afternoon and we’re officially in “Aneto mode.” We grab seats in the refuge dining room. We’re not the only ones here; there’s a shared excitement in the air. Marçal goes over all the equipment we’ll use tomorrow—crampons, ice axes, helmets, harnesses, ropes… For most of us, it’s all new, so we listen carefully to every detail. This is serious stuff.

We look at the map, check the weather forecast, and talk about the most technical and challenging part of the route—the Mahoma step. We try to imagine it, and the nerves start to bubble up, mixed with excitement, fear, and thrill. You can feel it in our stomachs and in the looks shared among the group.

We stay focused on the instructions—we’ve been preparing all these days for this moment. Looks like we won’t be sleeping much tonight…

4:30 am. It’s still dark, but we’re all already having breakfast in the refuge dining room. No one has slept at all — nerves are running high. We pack up our sleeping bags and repack our backpacks with the gear Marçal brought us.

We bundle up, put on our headlamps, take a deep breath, and start heading up. Today’s the big day: Aneto is the star of the show, but it’s still a long way off. We move forward in the darkness, eyes on the trail, step by step. It’s not cold anymore, and the sun is starting to rise. What a show of light and colors.

We stop briefly to shed some layers, stash our headlamps, and snap a few photos. Moments like this are priceless, and we know it.

Marçal urges us to keep moving. We follow his lead, step by step, climbing higher and higher. After a couple of hours, we stop again: the snow starts. We put on crampons, helmets, ice axes, and harnesses, and continue in a single line, one after the other. The summit is getting closer, and we can see the ridge clearly now.

Finally, we reach the Paso de Mahoma — it’s only 40 meters, but with steep drops on both sides. Everyone’s nervous. This is when we have to fully trust our guide, our instructors, ourselves, and the gear. Let’s do this!

One by one, we cross, roped to the guide and completely focused. Those waiting behind watch and prepare mentally. We’re nervous, but with each person safely reaching the other side, our confidence grows. We celebrate every success like it’s our own.

Note: The climb depends on weather and each participant’s physical and mental condition. There’s a less demanding alternate route planned in case conditions aren’t safe.

And then, the summit! (3,404 m) It feels like the top of the world. We couldn’t be happier. Photos, smiles, and quick — we bundle up because it’s freezing up here! We don’t let ourselves get distracted — it’s hard to take it all in, but we stay focused. The descent is the same way down, and we’ll meet others climbing up at the Paso de Mahoma. But the goal is done, and the descent worries us less — we’ll handle it when we get there. For now, we soak in the moment.

By mid-afternoon, we’re back at Besurta parking, grabbing the gear we left yesterday. Uri picks us up in the van — today we’re definitely sleeping in a hotel! We’re exhausted, dirty, buzzing with adrenaline, and a little sad. It’s almost over… but not yet!

Shower, dinner, and sleep. Tomorrow, back to the city.

Day 12

Now we’re really reaching the end. We get up early, have breakfast at the hotel’s buffet, and load our backpacks into the van. Three hours of travel lie ahead, so we take the chance to sleep and rest — we’re seriously tired.

By midday, we’re in the city. We stroll through the Gothic Quarter, visit the Cathedral, La Rambla, and Colón. Someone grabs a souvenir or two.

We finish the day with a big Mediterranean buffet lunch at Fresco. The afternoon is beach time — relaxing, soaking up the sun, and taking a swim.

Slowly, families start arriving to pick everyone up. The rest of us head by van to the airport. We’re still not fully realizing everything we’ve done or how much this experience has changed us inside.

We’re excited to see the photos the guides took along the way. We know we’ll keep in touch with the group — and who knows? Maybe we’ll meet again somewhere else in the world, or out among mountains and valleys.

Goodbyes, hugs, and maybe a few tears wrap up this incredible adventure.