Hiking and painting Wonders

Day 1: Let's crunch some landscapes (+800m; 8km).
Meet at 10am at Mesches Lake to walk to the Refuge des Merveilles. Several breaks to learn how to sketch with Eloise in various landscapes.
Day 2 : Immersion in the Merveilles (+300m;-300m ; 6km).
Departure at dawn for a short hike between lakes and mountains. Painting techniques 2-3h. Then, visit the rock engravings of the Merveilles and return to the refuge.
Day 3 : Descent in the Roya (-800m ; 8km).
Hike by another itinerary than the first one, more aerial, with painting stop(s).

To be ready for the adventure: Physical preparation level 2: don't forget to keep in shape once a week by walking (about 10 km, 300m difference in altitude) if possible or by practicing 1 hour of sport.

Be aware that between 2000 and 2500m, it can be quite cool when we start hiking in the morning. Also, thin layers on top of each other allow you to quickly remove a layer or two when the sun is shining. And remember, too much comfort kills comfort. There's nothing worse than a bag that's too heavy to enjoy a trip to the mountains.

Equipment :
- hiking backpack with wide straps (40L)
- waterproof high-top shoes
- headlamp
- water bottle (1L)
- knife
- individual first aid kit (to be validated by your doctor)
- breathable underwear (quick drying)
- Fleece jacket or other
- waterproof and breathable jacket
- hat
- cap or hat
- sun protection (glasses, cream, high protection lip stick)
- a pair of gloves
- rain cape
- toilet paper and a lighter to burn if necessary
- spare shoelaces
- a change of clothes
- minimal toiletries (no shampoos or liquid soap) and a towel
- plastic bags to protect your belongings.
- camping equipment if you are bivouacking (in the authorised area, between 9am and 7pm)
- sleeping bag sheet for more comfort.

Blankets are provided in the gîtes and refuges. Walking sticks (optional), must be accompanied by tips as the use of any iron tips is strictly forbidden in the area of the rock engravings.

List of the ideal material for painting: You can buy it at the Géant des Beaux-Arts (Nice, about 140€ for the whole):
- Box of watercolours "I love art" 12 colours in half-packs (16,50 € Ref: 44031).
- Winsor & Newton watercolour brush with round tip size 00 (6,36 € Ref: 87469).
- Winsor & Newton watercolour brush with round tip size 3 (8,76 € Ref: 87473).
- Winsor & Newton watercolour brush with round tip size 8 (13,20 € Ref: 87476).
- Winsor & Newton watercolour brush with round tip size 12 (19,96 € Ref 87478).
- Paper pad 300 gr. Arches watercolour paper, size 23X31 cm (35,96€ Ref 17479).
- Set of 6 Pigma micron precision markers (14 € Ref 28686).

It is also up to the hikers to get rags or paper towels, a palette (cardboard plates are very practical), a small bottle filled with water for watercolour sketches and a chef's hat with a visor, essential for working in the sun. A plastic bag is also useful to avoid sitting on wet ground