Hi there, I'm planning on doing the GR20 in cosrica in mid July and trying to sort out all the logistics. I have a few questions. 1: I know the rufuges sell food and supplies but is it possible to buy batteries up there? 2: Does anyone know of anywhere in Corsica that can safely store excess luggage for a few weeks while I'm on the trek? 3: I was hoping to use my Hennessy hammock instead of a tent, is this possible? Are there any trees to tie to around the camping areas? 4: Can anyone confirm whether or not you definatley have to book ahead for the refuges or camp spots? Finding mixed info on this one. Any other advice would be great. Thanks
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 1. No. maybe in the villages but I doubt it. 2. No. 3. Few trees around; hammock perhaps not such a good idea. 4. Anecdotal evidence suggests not. If you do a search there are lots of threads on the GR20
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| Edited: 31/05/11 17:51 |
 1. Maybe, but as you can't guarantee it, take spares. Best if you can use as many things that take 'button' batteries as possible, then you're only carrying the weight of a few buttons as spares. I'm currently running torches on this basis and even after a couple of years I haven't actually needed to change the batteries. If you do find spares on sale anywhere, grab them long before you need them. If you allow a free day at Vizzavona, you can always get the train to Corte where there are lots of shops. 2. Not heard of any secure luggage storage. What I tend to do if I know I'm coming back to a place is to wrap something up and hide it in a bush. In Corsica, this would be the thorny 'maquis'. On that note, if you find half a litre of meths hidden at Keflavik Airport in Iceland, it's mine, hidden there only this week, waiting for my next trip there this summer! 3. I doubt you'd find a secure place to hang a hammock on more than two or three nights on the GR20. There aren't enough trees around the refuges, and even if they are, they won't be suitable. Laricio pines would be best, but a lot of the time you'd be faced with birch scrub. 4. Thus far, people who have booked the refuges have got into them. People who haven't booked have got into them if there is space available. People who haven't booked camping spots have always been able to squeeze in somewhere. Personally, I rarely commit myself to a fixed schedule and prefer the freedom to chop and change my plans.
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3. This fella used a hammock. Well he did when I saw him. Try contacting him for advice. mad aussie
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| Edited: 01/06/11 06:35 |
 I am going to jump on this thread, currently have flights booked for to/from Ajaccio. The flights were £60 cheaper than that from Bastia and the trip from Conca to Ajaccio seems easier than that to Bastia. However the current timetables seem say that Ajaccio to Calenzana will be a hog;
Arrive by plane at Ajaccio 0930 (http://www.corsicabus.org/busAjaccio/AJA_Airport.html)
Bus to Dolce Vita at 1630, arriving 1930ish
(http://www.corsicabus.org/Train_services/Train5AjaCly.html)
10km walk along D151 or taxi from Calvi (http://www.visit-corsica.com/en/infotour/rechercheCarto)
Arrive by plane at Bastia 0930
Bus to Bastia (http://www.corsicabus.org/busBastia/BIA_Airport.html)
Bastia to Calvi at 1700, arriving 1900 (http://www.corsicabus.org/busCalvi/CLY_Bastia.html)
Bus to Calenzana at 1930 (http://www.corsicabus.org/busCalvi/CLY_Calenzana.html)
To switch flights is £14 per person just for inbound, I am tempted because a 10km walk after 12 hours of travelling looks hellish
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My guess, without being able to check the fine detail, is that the cost of switching flights will be less than the cost of a taxi, and saving 10km of hot tarmac-bashing is well worthwhile. Have you been able to check train times? The railway provides a fascinating trip in its own right, despite being something of a bone-shaker!
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| Edited: 14/06/11 09:57 |
My error is that it should be train to Dolce Vita.
The train to Calvi from Bastia leaves either too close to arriving at Bastia (1030) (it does leave Casamozza at 1110, the taxi from the Airport to Casamozza is reportedly 20 euros) and too late to catch the bus from Calvi (arrives at 2036)
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| Edited: 14/06/11 10:02 |
OK... then you've done your homework! I'd avoid the 10km walk-in, because on a hot day it won't be enjoyable, although some might suggest that it would be one way to limber up a bit between the travelling and the walking. Good luck with the trip... don't bust your guts on the first day... don't let anyone scare you off the Cirque without taking a look at it yourself... and keep your eye open for all the water supplies!
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On Chris' questions - 4: camping spots or "bivoucs" as they call them need no reservation. Back when I did it in 2009 you could only pre-book spots in the huts themselves on-line although you can get in if there is space. It may not be immediately apparent in the guidebooks and websites (as I learned to my cost) but you do have to unfortunately take your own cooker with you if you camp, unless you are prepared to pay 10-20 Euros for a meal at the hut.
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 I set off tomorrow: very excited! After suffering with the vagaries of the refuge website we fianlly learned that for the first four nights they are fully booked. We have decided to take a tent with us and do a mixture of camping and staying in the refuges as and when they become free. It was possible to book a camping 'spot' via the website and for ease we have booked for the first four nights. Final base weight has come in at 7.9kg with the addition of the tent and neoair.
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Duncan... those first four refuges might well be fully booked, but the people who've booked them still need to get there. It would be an interesting exercise for you to have a chat with people who stay in the refuges, and see if all the booked beds actually get filled. Most people who drop out of the GR20 do so after the first day, and a significant number get the heebie-jeebies after three days, when they hear all the bad things about the Cirque de la Solitude, and none of the good things. Anyway, a tent is great insurance on the route, and if the weather is good it's preferable to staying in the refuges. Good luck!
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I second Paddy. Do definetaly take the tent. And the Cirque de la Solitude isn't as bad as it seems - really. If you've made it that far then you'll be fine. Fred, I've walked up the D151 to Calvi. It's not awful but it's a tiring, tedious slog and I seem to remember the road-signs at the roundabout at Dolce Vita saying 12kms to Calvi, not 10. In other words, if you can avoid it - do.
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 A quick update to Paddy's book and anybody interested. I just got back from the southern section of the trail. The refuge U Renosu is CLOSED and in pretty bad shape also (too bad as I was counting on it). I don't know if this is temporary or long term (I've been there twice during my stay). So everybody must converge to the fairly crowded Capannelle/U Fugone (where tent pitches are limited and suck). --Mike
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| Edited: 03/07/11 10:13 |
