UKH

In September 2021, Mike Coppock ran the fastest known time on the Haute Route Pyrenees, completing the classic 750km route solo and self-supported over 12 days. High mountain terrain and hefty daily distance and ascent made for a gruelling challenge, but it was a journey he clearly relished too. He tells us all about it. 

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Be curious if he'd be willing to post his kit list? (I bet he has it written down!)

Wow! Took me 5 and a half weeks to walk it and I thought I was going well.

Wow, that's very fast!  I'd love to go back to the Pyrenees.  I'm a little worried about the resurgence of bears though.  Am I being silly or is it a real danger?  It's not something I want to be worrying about.  

Top effort Mike well done self supported with pack under 4kg some beasht! 

I wouldn't worry about it though there is a certain frisson when you're walking through thick maquis on your own, picking myrtilles and all is quiet. People very rarely see them, but that's a lot more than 25 years ago when no-on ever saw one. There was face to face charge in, iirc, Val d'Aran a couple of years ago and recently a hunter in Ariege was attacked. He got badly bitten but he shot the bear. There isn't anywhere I wouldn't go but there are some places where I'd make a bit more noise. I've met a couple of people carrying pepper spray, something I've never considered.