Publisher Description

Mountaineering in the Pyrenees features twenty-five classic mountain routes and link-ups that will delight any mountaineer who enjoys getting off the beaten track. Author and mountain guide François Laurens has drawn upon his encyclopaedic knowledge of the Pyrenees, and recommendations from other mountaineers, to put together a diverse selection of climbs – many of them accessible from spring to autumn – along the entire Pyrenean chain, from the Mediterranean to the Basque country.The most characteristic feature of the Pyrenees is its hodgepodge of topographies, climates and lives, all jumbled together. Sometimes, moving just a short way across this patchwork landscape, perhaps from one side of a cliff to another, is enough to take you into a completely different environment. This diversity is reflected in the routes featured in this book.Ridge traverses and rock climbs dominate the selection, which includes only a few ephemeral snow climbs, but every route has its own unique character and provides a wonderful day out in the mountains. Featured routes include the Salenques-Tempestades Ridge on Pico de Aneto, the Espadas Ridge on Pic des Posets, and a selection of climbs on the renowned peaks of Monte Perdido, the Maladeta, the Balaitous, the Vignemale, and the Grand Astazous and Petit Astazous. Each route features technical notes, a topo and route description, and photos illustrating the character of the climbing.

Author Biography

Francois Laurens was born in the Luchon Valley, where he continues to live and work. After beginning his outdoor career with the ski patrol at Superbagneres and as a walking guide, he qualified as a mountain guide in 1986. Through his work, he has climbed all the Pyrenees' most beautiful peaks, in both summer and winter, as well as most of the major summits in the Alps. He loves discovering new places and has explored many countries, far and wide. Motivated by his belief in the educational benefits of outdoor activities, he works with an association that helps young people in difficulty to reintegrate into society. He is also a keen photographer whose work is frequently published in the outdoor press.

Table of Contents

Introduction & practical information
1 Pic du Canigou: Quazemi Ridge
2 Pedraforca: Traverse of the Three Peaks
3 Mont Valier: Faustin Couloir
4 Pico de Aneto: Salenques-Tempestades Ridge
5 Pico de la Maladeta: North–South Traverse
6 Pic de Maupas: West Ridge
CIRQUE DU PORTILLION
7 Pic des Crabioules & Pic Lézat: Crabioules-Lézat Ridge
8 Pic des Spijeoles: South-East Ridge
9 Pic des Spijeoles: Grand Dièdre
10 Pic des Gourgs Blancs: via Pic Jean Arlaud
11 Pico de Posets: Espadas Ridge
12 Pic de Néouvielle: Trois Conseillers Ridge
13 Pic de la Munia: Troumouse Ridge
14 Grand Astazou: Oublié Couloir
15 Petit Astazou: North-West Ridge
16 Pic du Marboré: Passet Ridge
17 Monte Perdido and Ordesa Valley: Normal Route and Tour of the Valley
18 Monte Perdido: Esparrets Spur and East Ridge
THE VIGNEMALE
19 Vignemale: Petit Vignemale-Pique Longue Ridge
20 Petit Vignemale: North Spur
21 Vignemale: Classic North Face Route
THE BALAÏTOUS
22 Balaïtous: North-West Ridge
23 Pène Sarrière: South Ridge
24 Pic d'Amoulat: West Ridge
25 Pic du Midi d'Ossau: Traverse of the Four Peaks
Huts and information

Details