Trail Head wisecracker Sim asked me today just how many beers does it take to trek across Corsica?

Well Sim, it's a grueling hike, for one thing. Long days and lots of up and down with a heavy pack. And it's pretty hot and humid, too. So right there you've got to know that keeping up your fluids is critical to good health and the overall success of the trek.

Fortunately, the Corsicans are well versed in hiker health and welfare issues and therefore, provide frequent refuges and bergeries along the route where parched walkers can replenish their vital liquids.

They've even gone so far as to install solar panels at each refuge in order to fuel refrigerators to keep the life-sustaining beers at the proper serving temperature.

God bless them!

Enjoying a cold Pietra (for medicinal purposes) on the deck of the Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu.

And should a couple of cold ones not satisfy the thirsty Corsica hiker at day's end, for a few more euros one can purchase a bottle of vin rouge de Corse, chock full of disease-resisting antioxidants.

About to enjoy a bottle of Corsican red wine with our Mountain House meals, Refuge de Petra Piana.

Both myself and my hiking buddy Phil can attest that the ready availability of these precious liquids allowed us to carry on daily in the face of very difficult conditions and were a factor in our ultimate success.

So, Sim I hope this answers your very important and insightful question.

Anyone else?

By the way, I think it only appropriate, given my just concluded research on the health benefits of beer and wine on the trail, that I approach the AMC and the Maine Huts & Trails people, and lobby for beer and wine to be made available to thirsty hikers at those facilities.

You with me on this?

(More photos of this awesome hike to come next week!)