View from the summit of Petrachema (Pic d'Ansabere)

Refugio Linza lies at a remote roadhead in the Anso Valley. It’s a beautiful wilderness area with not a ski lift for miles and perfect for ski touring, snow shoeing and cross country skiing. The weather forecast was perfect last weekend so Fabian, Dian and myself headed over there for some touring.

Heading out from Refugio Linza

Beautiful blue skies as we headed out Sarurday morning towards the border peak of Petrachema (or Pic d’Ansabere in French). Long ascent making our own tracks and with just sarrios (Pyrenean chamois) for company.

Two chamois watching us from above

As we approached the summit clouds came in suddenly but fortunately we still got fantastic views over a huge area – down into the Cirque de Lescun and across to Bisaurin, Balaitous, Pic du Midi d’Ossau and all of the peaks in the Valle de Tena. Beautiful.

The summit ridge of Petrachema with the clouds blowing over

Headed back the same way through some fairly difficult snow and I lost count of how many times I fell over. Great day, pretty long with 1400m of ascent and we were glad to get back to Linza for a beer around the fire.