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Warnings Or Dangers: Danger in the Pyrénées?
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Writing about dangers in “my” mountains? I never felt in danger here, never was scared, and just was careful in certain circumstances.
I do not feel comfortable writing about dangers in the mountains, and there are, of course, and every year there are accidents in the Pyrenees; I will not write here for the climbers or long range trekkers, they are supposed to know what they are doing and are aware of what can happen.
For the newcomers, the most important danger is related to weather conditions: weather forecasts are usually not reliable in high mountain areas, and here, on this range, parallel to the main west winds coming from the Ocean, and being the first topographic feature the humid west winds encounter, you may have rain or even thunderstorms or hail in Cauterets and bright sunshine at Gavarnie, 25 km away; and 3 hours later, the conditions are inverted. . . . Be prepared to walk in the clouds, with little visibility; that can last for 2-3 hours sometimes (and even sometimes the whole day!) When you hike on high trails, take along rain gear and warm clothes, you never know. . . . even if the sun shines brightly when you start. There can be very heavy rains which even get the creeks flowing over the roads below the rail heads (picture 2).
Some parts of trails are a bit. . . aerial, so beware of vertigo, I have seen people panicking, it is not pleasant for themselves and their fellow hikers.
Many trails are quite rocky-blocky, only bare loose boulders and blocks; don’t try to run or jump (but I gave up explaining to my boys. . . ), it is easy to fall or to sprain your ankle; better walk slowly and look where you put your feet.
There is no reported danger with wildlife, there are very few snakes, and above 2000 m they begin to feel cold. . . . .
On picture 1, these statices are on a ridge vertically overlooking a small glacier, 200 below, be sure you have no vertigo if you want to have a close look.
The fog is unpleasant, you hardly see where you go. . . . Picture 3 has been taken on a road: Col du Tourmalet on a very misty day; in certain areas, fog can be a danger, not only of getting lost. The isard jumps easily on this stony-rocky trail (picture4), but not the trekker with his backpack. . . . . And the clouds form rather quickly, and you do not know if you will be trapped soon (picture5).
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 Comments for kokoryko about Parc National des Pyrénées Occidentales | | | | |
trvlrtom Thu Oct 2, 2008 22:28 UTC
Enjoyed your photos & tips from Pyrenees. I was fortunate to have a week on the Spanish side back in my pre-VT days. Stunningly beautiful area. | JLBG Sun Sep 28, 2008 04:13 UTC
Superbe page sur une chaine de montagnes que je connais peu. J'aime surtout la photo avec les arbres qui modifient leur verticalité avec le terrain jusqu'à ce qu'ils soient profondément enracinés! Mais toutes tes photos sont remarquables! | cachaseiro Wed Sep 17, 2008 21:27 UTC
really good photos from a part of the world i hope to explore more in the near future. | Kuznetsov_Sergey Tue Sep 9, 2008 17:35 UTC
Outstanding page with brilliant photos and very detailed tips! I'm impressed by wonderful mountain landscapes which reminded me the Caucasus. Thanks Hermann for this virtual tour! |
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on Aug 29, 2008
