At the other side of the dam I quickly took of my jacket and continued to run. The path here is very easy and soon I have the Montserrat Monastery in my sight well above, with the first still reddish rays of sunlight making for spectacular views.
Soon I arrived at the Aeri of Montserrat where I have to climb up to the bridge to cross the Llobregat again to start my Vertical Kilometer. Just before I drank and ate since I didn't want to stop again untill reaching the summit of St. Jeroni. This part was more know to me so I concentrated on keeping the pace as high as possible without burning myself out. In half an hour I was at the Monastery still feeling strong and I continued for the second part of the climb that is not as steep as the first part having more almost horizontal stretches, but still the climbing parts are mostly steep stairs up and it was good mental training to keep running all the runnable parts. The last part up is quite unique, since this a very touristic area and without it the St. Jeroni summit would dangerous you climb up a very long concrete stairs to a small balcony with incredible views on all sides. Total time of the climb was 1h20. I think I can go a bit faster, but I still have many hours of running to go, so this should do for the VK training goal. Time to drink and eat and then go back down again.
On the downhill I continued the exploration following a path that was new to me, called el Cami dels Francesos. I was hoping to find a crossing with another path that would lead me to the far east part of the area, but I could not find where I had to change direction, so after stopping quite a few times and checking the map, I decided to go all the way down first and try to find the path from the other end. Between the Monastery and the St. Jeroni summit I had met quite a few people, running and walking, but in this area I was the first one to break the silence and after a few times of hearing mountain goats running way, suddenly I had 3 goats right in front of me. One was still very young and jumped away making screamy noises, but then the mother stopped after a few jumps and turned around and so did the other goat and the young goat and they stood still watching me. With gently moves I dug out my mobile phone and took a picture and then said goodbye to continue the way down along a very narrow path with loose stones, so I was happy when I finally arrived down.
I am in a bit over three hours and have some 20k done now. I am near the place where I parked my car now, but I think I am still carrying enough water so I continue my way directly to Can Massana. The way up to this parking lot and picknick area is very runnable, always going up slightly, but along very easy paths.
That same day from Collbató they organised a local walking event so here I meet many people walking in the contrary direction following white plastic straps marking their route. Near Can Massana I literally run into one of the organizers who was checking those markers since someone had dedicated herself to removing them, so we had a chat will running up to Can Massana and the aid station they had set up there he invited me to some fruit and then it was time for good bye and heading for what I felt could be a difficult part. After going up a very wide and more easy path I found an indication for the PR-78, a much more narrow path, but at least very defined at that point. From the words I catch of conversations of the people I pass here, I understand that somewhere up ahead there was a mountain hut. But before reaching that hut suddenly the path goes up very steep in between rocks for maybe some 20 meters and half way people are stuck with two dogs. When reaching them climbing up I am not sure if I can help them, but then when climbing up I think that maybe I can, and soon after the dog that was resisting the climb is encouraged and after a fun moment of thank yous and happy dogs expressing their joy to be out in the mountains I continue my way to the mountain hut where I arrived very soon afterwards. From then onwards I learned that the east part of Montserrat is a whole different story. Following the route was hard, the paths where tough sometimes leading us over huge rocks with an impressive incline and at points all route markers disappeared and I stopped many many times to check my map and even went the wrong way at some point until I got the feeling that I was climbing too much and luckily found the path again after having turned back. I stay with other people that follow the same path here. I guessed I might loose more time loosing my way again, than when going at walking speed but having more eyes looking for the right direction. Finally I am back at el Camí dels Francesos, and understand why I couldn't find the PR-78 before, the marks on the rock that indicate the path are so much faded that it is impossible to know that you have to change direction at that point. Still the path itself has impressed me. It shows the more savage Montserrat and at many points has beautiful views.
The last part I run down at easy pace and after some 7h40m I am back at the car. My mobile was almost out of battery. I stopped the tracking app and somehow lost the part I did, but I have redrawn the route in wikilocs so for those interested here is the route, split up in four segments so they can be reused easily.
Vinya Nova - Aeri Montserrat
Aeri Montserrat - St. Jeroni - Vertical Kilometer
St. Jeroni - Can Jorba by Camí dels Francesos
Can Jorba - Can Massana - Camell de St. Jeroni
Vinya Nova - Aeri Montserrat
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=20661917
Aeri Montserrat - St. Jeroni - Vertical Kilometer
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=20663379
St. Jeroni - Can Jorba by Camí dels Francesos
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=20664716
Can Jorba - Can Massana - Camell de St. Jeroni
http://es.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=20666275
