Snowshoeing at Portalet
At the peak of Cuyaralet with Pico Anayet in the background
The area around Col de Portalet is a winter playground with lots of excellent routes for snowshoeing, ski touring and for the younger ones some fantastic sledging! It’s quite high and well protected from the wind so it’s snow sure even in times when there’s not too much of the white stuff around.
Took Dave up to the peak of Cuyaralet (2286m) which is just into France – the route actually starts from the border post. The weather forescast wasn’t great making Cuyaralet a good choice of peak as it’s not a long day and nav back to the road is nice and easy in case of a white out!
Dave enjoying some powder on the way down
Snowshoeing to Aguas Tuertas
The Dolmen at Aguas Tuertas
Last week went snowshoeing to an area called Aguas Tuertas (twisted waters) with the Sabiñanigo mountain club – a beautiful area that I’d not visited before. Lying between the valleys of Hecho and Canfranc it’s a large flat col that a stream meanders through giving the area it’s name.
Snowshoeing alongside the stream at Aguas Tuertas
Walking the Chemin de la Mature
The Chemin de la Mature carved into the cliff face
Walked the famous Chemin de la Mature on the French side of the Pyrenees last weekend. This spectacular path is carved into a sheer cliff face. Originally constructed in 1772 to provide access to the forests above which was logged to build ships. These inaccessible forests had ancient huge trees that were perfect for the masts of naval vessels, in fact Chemin de la Mature translates to ‘road of the masts’.
This short documentary gives the history of the Chemin de la Mature.
Ski touring in Ordesa
Approaching the summit of Marboré with Cilindro (3325m) behind
Spent a fantastic weekend ski touring in the Ordesa National Park staying over at Refugio Goriz and tackling the summit of Marborè (3248m). Stunning views into the Ordesa Valley and beautiful weather without a cloud all weekend.
High in the park looking down onto the Ordesa Canyon
Rather than the usual summer route to Goriz from the Pradera in the Ordesa Valley we set out from the cross country skiing pistes above Nerin which is a better route on skis in winter and takes you right to the rim of the canyon. read more…
The Peaks of Ordesa
The 3000m border peaks of the Ordesa National Park - click for a bigger image
From the Monrepos pass you get a superb vista across the Pyrenees including this fantastic view of the Ordesa National Park. You can see ten of the 3000m peaks, the cliffs of the Ordesa Valley and even the Faja de las Flores. Click on the photo to get a larger clearer picture. read more…
