Equipment and pre-trip research
My wife and I each have our own separate equipment. The following is the equipment I took on this trip:
Cameras:
- Canon 7D
- Canon 5D, Mark III
- Lumix compact camera – useful for taking reference shots
Lenses:
- Sigma 12–24mm – wide angle
- Canon 24–70mm
- Canon 100–400mm
Filters:
- UV filter – permanently attached to every lens
- Polariser
- ND filter
Other equipment:
- Waterproof covering for camera
- Lightweight tripod
- Monopod
- Good-quality, lightweight, waterproof camera rucksack
- Sturdy walking boots (compatible with crampons for winter conditions)
- Bright waterproof jacket and trousers for visibility in case of emergencies (fortunately, I’ve never needed rescuing!)
- First aid kit
- Mobile phone – equipped with PhotoPills, which provides valuable information such as sunrise and sunset times, among many other features
- Map of the area
- Compass
- Small snacks
The equipment I carry when walking varies depending on the purpose of the outing, weather conditions, and other factors. Often, I set out with a specific goal in mind. My Lumix camera is frequently used to take reference photos for future ideas when I come across something interesting but don’t have time to stop or the lighting isn’t suitable.
This camera has also been invaluable on a few occasions, helping me identify landmarks and avoid getting lost.
Before each trip, either my wife or I purchase a detailed map of the area we’re visiting that includes walking routes and roads. We then turn to the internet, starting with Google Maps. Using the satellite view and Street View, we familiarise ourselves with the terrain. Next, we explore websites about the area, ranging from tourist information to photography sites, to gather inspiration.
We compile a list of possible locations and always spend the first day of any trip scouting as many of these spots as possible. The extent of our scouting depends on the weather. I particularly enjoy photographing during stormy weather but prefer to have images planned in my head beforehand, which is why scouting is essential. My wife doesn’t mind stormy weather but has a strong dislike of being halfway up a mountain or in a forest during a thunderstorm – something to do with her aversion to lightning strikes!
The Trip
Me: “So, what’s the toilet like?”
Wife: “It has a nautical theme.”
Me: “Really?”
Wife: “Yes, there’s a picture of a ship on the wall and the floor is flooded!”
3 Days Earlier – Day 1
At the beginning of the Covid lockdown in Spain, my wife and I reserved a hire car and an apartment in the Picos de Europa for August. As the lockdown situation evolved, so did our plans. We switched from our original destination to an apartment in a Pre-Pyrenees area of Lleida, before finally settling on a place in Vall d’Aran. At one point, we had three apartments booked simultaneously but eventually chose Vall d’Aran as the destination with the least likelihood of Covid-related disruptions.
The journey began smoothly, with me driving and my wife acting as the Google Maps navigator. Initially, Google Maps led us in the right direction, and I wasn’t concerned when it suggested we leave the motorway at an earlier junction. However, four hours later, unable to hold my bladder any longer, I pulled over to the side of the road. Checking Google, we saw we were only 30 minutes from our destination. Yet, my wife noted how odd it was that there wasn’t a mountain in sight—just flat fields and distant hills.
Two hours and 30 minutes later, we finally arrived in Tredos, a small village near the top of Vall d’Aran.
Navigating Tredos was challenging. The streets were narrow, barely wide enough for one car. “You have arrived at your destination,” Google Maps cheerfully announced for the third time as we reached a dead end. “Call the apartment owner,” I pleaded with my wife, who now needed the toilet as badly as I did.
A quick phone call in Catalan later, my wife returned. “The apartment is just around the corner. Reverse, turn left, then left again, and finally right.” After reversing with my tired mind, we reached the apartment. As soon as we entered, I collapsed into a deep sleep. My wife woke me 20 minutes later, suggesting it would be more comfortable to sleep on the bed rather than the toilet – which she urgently needed again.
Day 2
Familiar with Vall d’Aran, we decided to explore the Circ de Colomèrs. Truthfully, we ended up there by accident – my fault.
We woke early and examined the map. A road winding past Tredos into mountainous terrain looked intriguing, and online photos suggested it might be worth a full photography trip. Setting off, we drove until we reached Balneari Banhs de Tredos, where the road ended. From there, we grabbed our camera bags and decided to walk.
The terrain seemed easy, so I stayed in my sandals while my wife wore trainers. Although the area was stunning, it offered little of photographic interest from our vantage point. Perhaps the most memorable sight was a tourist in high heels screaming for help.
A taxi service shuttling people further up the valley caught my eye. I suggested we go for a ride. Two hours later, sitting outside Refugi de Colomèrs, sweating profusely, we cursed our poor choice of footwear and lack of sun cream. After taking a few reference shots, we retreated to the taxi, our car, and finally the apartment for food and a much-needed siesta.
Day 3
Wife: “Does your neck hurt?”
Me: “A little. Why?”
Wife: “It’s redder than a baboon’s bottom. I think we need sun hats!”
Reluctantly, we headed to Vielha to find sun hats. Staying in Tredos, a quiet town, minimised Covid risks but also meant bringing everything we needed as there were no shops. Vielha, normally bustling in summer, was relatively calm.
Upon arriving, a woman passing by caught my eye, and I instinctively said hello. What followed was a flurry of Catalan words I didn’t understand. My wife quickly grabbed my arm and explained, “That was probably the only working prostitute in Vall d’Aran.” From then on, I was instructed not to speak to anyone without permission.
We found suitable hats in the third shop, but before buying them, I noticed my wife hadn’t caught up. Outside the previous shop, I found her clutching her ankle in pain. After helping her to a nearby bench, she fainted. With the help of two passers-by, we got her seated.
A hospital visit confirmed a severe sprain. My wife was told to rest, though her sister’s non-medical advice was to walk short distances. Back at the apartment, the landlord kindly lent us crutches and access to a service lift.
Despite the mishaps, we sat down to plan the rest of our trip.