Alpine Club Summer Alps Meet in the Pyrenees – 2019

Descending from the summit of Pico de Aneto – Photo Tony Westcott

This year’s meet was promoted as “a change from the usual 4000m peak areas” and judging from the feedback from the 36 who attended the meet, this was a major reason for visiting Benasque. AC members were joined by members from ABMSAC, CC, FRCC, SMC, LSCC, Wayfarers, Yeovil MC and PC, with many accompanied by spouses and partners, plus three promising under-18s.

The meet was based at Camping Ixeia, some 4km north of Benasque and 12km south of the French/ Spanish border, by the banks of the Rio Esera on the GR11, surrounded by steep sided mixed woodland and craggy ridges rising to 3000m, topped by Pic De Aneto, the highest at 3404m, with extensive snow fields in spite of valley temperatures in the high 20s. Recommendations from Jeff Harris, who recently completed all the Pyrenees 3000s, and Cathy O’Dowd, lived up to expectations of a wide range of rock climbing, alpine mountaineering and valley walking amongst spectacular scenery with hanging valleys, impressive cascades and tarns. Even the extensive skiing area at Cerler is set in a landscape of grassy alpine meadows and surprised us with its extensive rock faces at Vall de l’Ampriu providing a wealth of bolted and trad, single and multi-pitch rock routes on slabs and impressive crack lines at all grades.

Campsite manager Miguel and his team were excellent hosts, very easy-going, full of helpful information and happily organised our two weekend happy-hour get-togethers.

The border peaks of Tuca de Salvaguardia (2738m) and Pico Sacroux (2672m), both on ancient trading routes between Zargoza and Luchon, were popular walking peaks with great views. Initial forays on the western side in the Posets-Maladeta Park explored the GR11.2 up through the lakes of the Vall de Perramo. More ambitious multi-day routes further up the Estos valley took in Pico de Perdiguero (3221m) and Pico de Posets (3375m). With knowledge came confidence to push single-day routes using 04.30 buses from the Estos stop with ascents including a PD N-S traverse of Aneto, a D- traverse of the Tempestades ridge to Aneto and the multi pitch trad route Y La Marta Sin Venia (grade V) in the beautiful Vall de Remune.

Brian Shackleton, climbing with Helen Brown, describes their most enjoyable day as the ascent of the Pico de Posets by the Espalda Ridge (PD, sections of grade II). They approached from the Angel Orus Hut in the Vall de Grist via the GR11.2 and joined the ridge at Pavots o Tucon Royo (3124m). The ridge traverses the 3 summits of Las Espadas (3332m), followed by exposed scrambling over Tuca de Llardaneta and Tuqueta Roya (3273m) before the final easy ascent up scree to Pico de Posets (3375m). They followed the normal route down the south ridge and the Rue Royale snow slopes back to rejoin the GR11.2 to the hut.

A new location, much enjoyed by all, much less-developed and cheaper than the more popular alpine areas, very welcoming locals and well worth visiting if you haven’t already.

Tony Westcott

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