Hi. Does anyone have any firm info on whether you can just turn up at the refuges this year? I wonder what we'll do if delayed by a day with all our accomodation booked in advance!!!
I don't know about this year, but last year I volunteered as a translator for a Spanish couple at Refuge de l'Onda. They did not have a reservation, nor did they have a tent. The guardian told them they had two options - either to wait until late in the afternoon to see if there would be any free spaces at the refuge, or to hire a tent from him. They chose the tent. Later it became clear the refuge had plenty of spaces, as only two people actually stayed there, so it looks as if the guardians didn't really know how many spaces were reserved. Of course, the booking system didn't really work in 2009...
Mind you, all this happened in mid-June when the trail is not yet crowded. I wonder what would have happened to the Spanish if both the refuge and the tents were busy? They were day-trippers and did not look fit enough to be able to get back to Vizzavona the same day, at least not on such a hot day it was!
