This week we took advantage of the perfect weather in the Pyrenees to accomplish a project Phil had in mind for many years: an overnight snowshoeing trip in Aspe Valley, staying at the remote – but cosy! – Refuge de Larry, an unwardened mountain hut run by French Pyrenees National Park.
Gustavo, Phil and I headed out for two days and hiked in some valleys that were new to us and showed us the great variety of landscapes and environments of this hidden corner of the cordillera.
The 6 January is one of the most import bank holidays in Spain. On the biblical calendar it is known as Epiphany but in Spain it is mainly known as “dia de reyes”, the day when the three kings come back to earth and give presents to children, as Santa Claus does in other countries. For hikers, it is always a good opportunity to enjoy wintertime activities. And for me, this year, a perfect day to go for a hike and celebrate my new incorporation to Hike Pyrenees team!
The really warm weather we’ve been having in October and November finally broke and snow’s arrived to the Pyrenees. Gustavo and I chose a great day to head out for the first snowshowing trip of the season.
We headed to Pic Peyreget (2487m) just on the French side of the border. It’s a great peak and the route passes right under the iconic Pic de Midi d’Osau. Hike Pyrenees guests will know this peak as it’s one we often do on our Peaks & Passes and Valle de Tena Explorer holidays.
Gustavo making tracks through the fresh powder
It wsa a beautifully sunny day and the weather was perfect. We were surprised at just how much snow there was. 30 to 40 cm of powder everywhere and around Refugio Pombie in sheltered spots the drifts where up to about 80cm which made for hard going.
It’s been snowing heavily over the last week in the Pyrenees and yesterday got out on the snowshoes for the first time this season with Rafa and Emilio. We headed up to the ski station of Formigal and set out from there. Sunny lower down but cloudy with a freezing wind higher up. Beautiful scenery though and great to see the mountains covered in snow again – every year the first time out on the snow is special.
Rafa and Emilio heading out from Formigal
There’s plenty of snow around in the Portalet and Anayet area of Formigal and and the ski station is due to open this Friday. Sextas has suffered from the really high winds we’ve been having which has swept most of the pistes clear of snow there. Plenty of deep drifts in the sheltered spots though!
Ordesa has had lots of snow this winter and you can snowshoe straight from the Pardera car park where there’s several feet of snow. The valley looks beautiful in the snow and I’ve been over there a couple of times in the past few weeks – one time with Anna and Isabel and the other with a group of student journalists from the States.
Anna and Isabel snowshoeing
Isabel loves playing in the snow although as she was waist deep in places she was soon carried by Dad in the rucksack.
On my second visit with the journalists from Alpine Living magazine we got great views of this Sarrios (or Chamois) in the snow – he wasn’t far off and didn’t seem bothered by us. Had quite a fluffy winter coat with lovely colours.
Chamois (or Sarrios in Aragonese) in Ordesa
The waterfalls were flowing quite fast however as not much sun gets this deep in the canyon lots ice and icicles flanked them making them look really beautiful.
