Rock Climbs In The Pyrenees

Guidebook to the best of Pyrenean rock climbing, near Panticosa and Formigal in Spain, Europe. This book invites climbers to enjoy the best of Pyrenean rock climbing, in an area hitherto neglected by British climbers. There are 500m routes on immaculate andesite on the Pic du Midi d'Ossau; 300m routes on hard sandstone in the 10 mile long, one mile deep canyon of Ordesa; while the 300m conglomerate climbs on the towers and walls of Riglsos are mind-blowing in their stunning grandeur. Limestone is also represented, particularly at the popular Santa Elena, with its delicate slab climbing. There is an introduction to the easier gorge descents of the remarkable Sierra Guara, where 200m deep canyons provide memorable trips. The routes described offer a challenge to all climbers who perform at severe standard and upwards, who would like to attempt longer routes in a mountain setting but without the oppressive objective dangers found in areas of higher altitude. The increased length, ever -resent concern with route finding and time pressure to finish without benighting add a further dimension to both the joy and thrill of the climbing experience. However, the descriptions chosen are for routes with little or no loose rock and only minor route-finding difficulty.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction Grades Descriptions Maps and Huts Accidents and Emergencies Spanish Glossary 2. Pic du Midi d'Ossau Grand Pic Le Doigt et Main de Pombie Petit Pic 3. Ordesa Tozal del Mallo Gallinero Fraucata 4. Riglos Mallo Fire Mallo Pison La Visera 5. The Vignemale Grand Vignemale Pique Longue Petit Vignemale Aiguille des Glaciers Piton Carré ou Jumeaux Pointe de Chausenque 6. La Vallé de Tena La Sierra de Partacua (Telera) La Peña Telera El Pico de Anayet Peña Foratata La Escuela de Santa Elena Las Foronias 7. The Sierra de Guara Vadiello Limestone Areas Rodellar (Mascun)

About the Author :
Robin Walker began mountaineering in his native Northumberland at the age of 13, and went on to walk and climb throughout the British Isles, Norway, the Dolomites, the Alps, and the USA. In 1981 he moved to Northern Spain, and began to explore the region's mountains, his early experiences culminating in Walks and Climbs in the Picos de Europa (Cicerone, 1989). At the same time, he continued to climb abroad, visiting Kenya, Pakistan, Tadjikistan, Kyrgystan, Bolivia and Peru. Repeated trips to the Cordillera Cantabrica led him to grasp the potential of the range for remote mountain walking, and gave rise to Walking in the Cordillera Cantabrica. Author of numerous articles about mountaineering in Spain, he has been strongly involved in conservation in the region, first as a member of the Colectivo Montanero por la Defensa de los Picos de Europa, then as Environment Officer for the Federacion de Montana del Princpado de Asturias.