Training Log Archive: Roger G

Day 3 of the Gr20. Unfortunately Dave's calf tight so we said good bye for his trip off the route via a 120e taxi ride! For Jez and Jon and me a slightly shorter day but still getting to Vizzavona and train to Ajaccio.

Stage 7 - 800m climb 12km 3h 25, probably the most technical scramble through very dramatic rock formation to refuge de Petra Piana. Looking forward to morning coffee and nothing open so pretty grumpy for a while.

Stage 8 - to bergeries de Tolla - all downhill for 6km for lovely meat and cheese lunch. Found a beautiful water pool to swim in, on the way. Spirits very high with non rocky pines forest path. After lunch exit route of 11km and 250 climb to Vizzavona all done at decent pace.

2 hours to wait for a train, enjoyed by having beers in the sun. By far the three biggest days ever and survived unscathed (apart from an arm of bed bug bites!)

Final part of trek day 7 to Piana Refuge

Day 2 GR20 Corsica

This was truly epic, from the amazing views, the changing terrain and the huge distance.

Trek stage 4 - 1200 11km - 4.05
Started at 7 first light in knowledge this was going to be beast.

The Cirque de la Solitude was shut due to avalanche in June, 8 people killed. New route over Monte Cintu. According to signboards erected at Haut Asco, the v
variant takes 8 to 10 hours to reach the Refuge de Tighettu. 4 hours for us to go a bit further to Ballone. Inversion on top at 2700. Vast majority a scramble.


Trek stage 5 - 850 15km bergeries de ballone to
Castellu di Verghio 3.00 lots more running on this leg but hot climb at the start. Last 3km to restaurant pretty painful as went on forever.

Trek stage 6 670m 17km - 3hrs Refuge Manganu. Knackered at start but trails very runnable at last helping us keep shuffling. Refuge at 1600 with bit grassy plain below - stunning.

A very long day out for 11h 30.

Last 400m climb section of Monte Cintu

sub 10 minute km's for the last 6km of the Day 2 - 45km's - Epic day

Day 1 gr20 from Calenzana Haut Asco. This was 3 days trek and felt like it!

Amazing views but tough going.

1550 12km Calenzana to Piobbu - first 7 km pretty straight forward but lots of up. Coffee at first refuge very welcome.
750 8km Piobbu to Carrozzu - second half lots of scrambling - stunning views
860 6km Carrozzu to Asco - really struggled on this climb with the sun beating down. Worried about tomorrow but perked up for last decent.

1 hour of rest on route

C • Cirque tomorrow? 2

Pilates