Random thoughts for hikers in Corsica
Here are a few random thoughts about hiking in Corsica. This is not an introduction to hiking! only a few notes concerning some extra precautions to take in Corsica.
Nights
Nights are usually warm in summer, so you can sleep outside with a sleeping bag. However, storms can (and do) sometimes break out during the night, so you should either have a tent or sleep near some kind of shelter. There are shepherd's huts just about everywhere. Note that as far as I know, camping is forbidden inside the Natural Park.
Beware of pigs at night. You should hang your backpacks up in some tree, otherwise they'll smell the food inside and tear through your bag to eat it. There are places without pigs, but it's hard to tell, so stay on the safe side. Many shepherd's huts have sheepfolds where you'll be safe.
Get up early. The best thing to do is to wake up before the sun, pack everything up, and get going at sunrise, near 6 o'clock. This lets you appreciate the cool morning air. It usually gets really hot as early as 9 o'clock. The hottest time of the day, around 2, should be dedicated to a siesta, unless you're in a real hurry.
Water
Water isn't always easy to find. Most maps show springs, but they can be very hard to locate, or dry. Drinking from torrents is possible, but you should use disinfectant pills, and avoid drinking if there are animals (cows or sheep) above.
Carry a large flask. 1.5 liter sounds right. 1 liter should do but you might be in trouble if you don't find a spring before the evening.
Equipment
A typical backpack should weigh between 15 and 18 kilograms; never more than 20.
No special equipment is needed, just the usual mountain clothes. Remember that although the wheather is usually hot and clear, you might also experience a few violent storms.
You should carry an "Aspivenin", a small device used to pump the poison out after being bitten or stung by a venomous animal. As far as I know, there are no vipers in Corsica, but there are small scorpions...
Nights
Nights are usually warm in summer, so you can sleep outside with a sleeping bag. However, storms can (and do) sometimes break out during the night, so you should either have a tent or sleep near some kind of shelter. There are shepherd's huts just about everywhere. Note that as far as I know, camping is forbidden inside the Natural Park.
Beware of pigs at night. You should hang your backpacks up in some tree, otherwise they'll smell the food inside and tear through your bag to eat it. There are places without pigs, but it's hard to tell, so stay on the safe side. Many shepherd's huts have sheepfolds where you'll be safe.
Get up early. The best thing to do is to wake up before the sun, pack everything up, and get going at sunrise, near 6 o'clock. This lets you appreciate the cool morning air. It usually gets really hot as early as 9 o'clock. The hottest time of the day, around 2, should be dedicated to a siesta, unless you're in a real hurry.
Water
Water isn't always easy to find. Most maps show springs, but they can be very hard to locate, or dry. Drinking from torrents is possible, but you should use disinfectant pills, and avoid drinking if there are animals (cows or sheep) above.
Carry a large flask. 1.5 liter sounds right. 1 liter should do but you might be in trouble if you don't find a spring before the evening.
Equipment
A typical backpack should weigh between 15 and 18 kilograms; never more than 20.
No special equipment is needed, just the usual mountain clothes. Remember that although the wheather is usually hot and clear, you might also experience a few violent storms.
You should carry an "Aspivenin", a small device used to pump the poison out after being bitten or stung by a venomous animal. As far as I know, there are no vipers in Corsica, but there are small scorpions...
