Day 7: Ochagavia to Zuriza

31km distance, with 1300m elevation ascent. This was a combination of two shorter segments which actually leaves me a day ahead of my original schedule. Miguel and I got going early, walking at about 6 or 630am while it was cool and made really good miles. We emerged from the long walk along old logging roads out into a hermitage nestled in the woods. The serenity only spoiled by the brutal roar of a two-stroke lawnmower. We grabbed a bite in a small town Isaba before setting out on the ascent to Zuriza. At some point, I lost Miguel behind me so I popped in my earphones and finished the audiobook I had going which made the steep 600m ascent much easier. Even though Miguel doesn’t speak a lot of English, and my Spanish is limited to about 3 phrases, and we walk most of the time in silence, it still seems rude to be listening to my music or podcasts while walking together.

The camp-site at Zuriza was pretty grim, and the supermarket labelled on their website and in my guidebook was closed. This made it difficult to plan the next leg. I would have loved to continue the old GR11 route which would necessitate a camp the next night before reaching a refugio or town, however I wasn't carrying enough food to make that comfortable so I opted for a longer 3 day route to Candanchu. So I'm heading out on my own, again, on a longer and steeper day tomorrow but will have accommodation and dinner at a guesthouse at the end of it to look forward to. This is one of several GR11 alternative routes.