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.
Evening light as we reach the Larry area
Continue reading →
Hannah (who many of our guests will have met guiding here over the past two summers) and her partner Ken have been over for New Years doing some snow shoeing and trying their hand at ski touring. Snow conditions aren’t great at the moment and we’ve not had a huge quantity of snow but they still have had some great days out.
Snowshoeing towards the Col des Arazures
The area around Portalet is always a good bet when the snow’s not so good and there are a whole load of peaks that you can do from there – it’s like a winter playground!
It was Ken’s first taste of ski touring and he’s caught the bug already! You can read more about Hannah and Ken’s adventures on their excellent Apple Mountaineering blog.
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
Continue reading →
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
Continue reading →
Fabien snowshoeing near Astun
It’s been snowing heavily in the Pyrenees for over a week now but the weather cleared on Friday and Saturday and it was time to dig the snowshoes out of the back of the cupboard for the first snowshoe outing of the season. Continue reading →
Snowshoeing from the Corefablo Pass
Snow conditions are fabulous at Formigal and the Pyrennes in general at the moment. Last Sunday Fabien and I went snowshoeing from the Cotefablo pass. Continue reading →
A Griffon Vulture (Gyps Fulvas) flying close overhead
March 8th is women´s day in Spain and we celebrated by taking a relaxing walk in the snow. Along our trail we saw Griffon Vultures, Great Tits, Long-tailed Tits, Red Kites and pine processionary caterpillar nests. Continue reading →
Lunching (and drinking) on the summit of Pic l´Iou
Fantastic snow shoeing trip today with the Sabinanigo walking club to Pic l’Iou just over the border in France.
Hoy hemos hecho una excursion muy bonita con raquetas con el club de montaña Sabinanigo. Continue reading →
Kerry and Anna snowshoeing
Our friend Kerry has come over for a half term holiday and yesterday we took her on her first snowshoeing outing. Lots of snow last week but blue skies and sunshine everyday this week so we had perfect conditions. Continue reading →
Overlooking the peaks above Gran Bornard
Last week was spent in Gran Bornard in the French Alps on a snow shoeing training course. Continue reading →
Hiking, cycling, nature and life in the Pyrenees
