The Soaso steps looking west towards Punta Munesma aka Tobacor. This was the final spectacular lookout. It came with the most strenuous hike. One member of our troupe went up anyway, despite her recent surgery! If you visit the Pyrenees, put this tour top of your list. Trust me. *next: Ainsa conclusion.
The Soaso steps looking west towards Punta Munesma aka Tobacor. This was the final spectacular lookout. It came with the most strenuous hike. One member of our troupe went up anyway, despite her recent surgery! If you visit the Pyrenees, put this tour top of your list. Trust me. *next: Ainsa conclusion.
0 2025/02/02 20:19:28
Bucolic landscape was never far away.
Bucolic landscape was never far away.
0 2025/01/30 22:25:14
It was fantastic. Here we see the mirador with two names: Bacarizuala by the Brecha(finger) de Azares/Tito Basta. Just across was the Roland gap, Taillon and Marbore mountains.The geology reminded me of Yosemite and also the Canadian Rockies. the heights gave most of us mild headaches so we took Tylenol.
It was fantastic. Here we see the mirador with two names: Bacarizuala by the Brecha(finger) de Azares/Tito Basta. Just across was the Roland gap, Taillon and Marbore mountains.The geology reminded me of Yosemite and also the Canadian Rockies. the heights gave most of us mild headaches so we took Tylenol.
0 2025/02/02 20:18:10
The view from the end of the aforementioned tunnel is wonderful. An effort has been made to decorate both tunnels with some artifacts. Shown here was our rental's garden, with its nocturnal jasmine and more.
The view from the end of the aforementioned tunnel is wonderful. An effort has been made to decorate both tunnels with some artifacts. Shown here was our rental's garden, with its nocturnal jasmine and more.
0 2025/01/30 21:12:10
Reflective image of Escuain, an abandoned former butter-producing village with a spectacular gorge.
Reflective image of Escuain, an abandoned former butter-producing village with a spectacular gorge.
0 2025/01/30 15:58:09
A village of stone and...
A village of stone and...
0 2025/01/30 21:30:00
Our drive across to Torla took us through Ainsa. Juancho took the time to clarify Bielsa's past tragedy. Franco had forbidden any further carnival celebrations, but the stubborn residents of Bielsa were justly proud of their own annual Carnavale. They went ahead anyway. Franco sent in his troops as a reprisal. Many women took their kids across the border to safety in France, but the males of Bielsa paid a heavy price. After Ainsa: the N260/rio Ara with Boltana, Fiscal, Servise then Broto.
Our drive across to Torla took us through Ainsa. Juancho took the time to clarify Bielsa's past tragedy. Franco had forbidden any further carnival celebrations, but the stubborn residents of Bielsa were justly proud of their own annual Carnavale. They went ahead anyway. Franco sent in his troops as a reprisal. Many women took their kids across the border to safety in France, but the males of Bielsa paid a heavy price. After Ainsa: the N260/rio Ara with Boltana, Fiscal, Servise then Broto.
0 2025/02/02 19:55:30
Would this be a safe mushroom for folks to ingest?
Would this be a safe mushroom for folks to ingest?
0 2025/02/01 12:27:27
This is the secluded village of Usana (oo-Sa-nah), nestled 600m up a hilltop in the heart of the Pyrenees. Our rental Casa Blas is located smack dab in the middle where you can see white shutters. The site is directly along the Camino di Santiago Compostela GR19 route. It is one of nine hamlets that compose the Banaston municipality.
This is the secluded village of Usana (oo-Sa-nah), nestled 600m up a hilltop in the heart of the Pyrenees. Our rental Casa Blas is located smack dab in the middle where you can see white shutters. The site is directly along the Camino di Santiago Compostela GR19 route. It is one of nine hamlets that compose the Banaston municipality.
0 2025/01/30 20:58:19
We four had our bocadillo picnic lunch at the remote and empty Refugio 'Plana Canal'. Julian had supplied the meal. Birds of prey dive-bombed the area from the clouds for their own lunch as they hunted something nearby. Rabbits? Marmots?
We four had our bocadillo picnic lunch at the remote and empty Refugio 'Plana Canal'. Julian had supplied the meal. Birds of prey dive-bombed the area from the clouds for their own lunch as they hunted something nearby. Rabbits? Marmots?
0 2025/01/31 13:34:09
Our landlady Pepita was incredibly spry for someone her age, let alone while recovering after recent surgery to mend a broken leg! That hospital stay had been near her son's home up in St. Lary just across the French Pyrenees border. She was a citizen of both countries. Mrs. Z is totally bilingual and carried the conversation during our visit to her home next door to Casa Blas. She grasped some of my clumsy Spanish and French. I think.
Our landlady Pepita was incredibly spry for someone her age, let alone while recovering after recent surgery to mend a broken leg! That hospital stay had been near her son's home up in St. Lary just across the French Pyrenees border. She was a citizen of both countries. Mrs. Z is totally bilingual and carried the conversation during our visit to her home next door to Casa Blas. She grasped some of my clumsy Spanish and French. I think.
0 2025/01/30 22:28:49
Our tourmates hailed from Guadalajara. They were handsome Jorge and...
Our tourmates hailed from Guadalajara. They were handsome Jorge and...
0 2025/02/02 10:05:51
Igneous rocks plus many other sorts, were displayed as though on display at an art show, most covered with a wide variety of colorful lichens.
Igneous rocks plus many other sorts, were displayed as though on display at an art show, most covered with a wide variety of colorful lichens.
0 2025/02/02 10:11:29
Friendly Mia, Julian's ESL tutor.
Friendly Mia, Julian's ESL tutor.
0 2025/01/30 16:04:45
0 2025/02/02 19:52:31
Escuain village is a ghost town right by the gorge. It was once a well-known butter-producing village. Folks would once barter butter for wine. A scattered collection of crumbling old buildings still exist, like the one shown below. Shown here is Escuain's historic church/mausoleum, its empty hutches the result of expensive rates that apparently drove historic farm families to bury and inter elsewhere.
Escuain village is a ghost town right by the gorge. It was once a well-known butter-producing village. Folks would once barter butter for wine. A scattered collection of crumbling old buildings still exist, like the one shown below. Shown here is Escuain's historic church/mausoleum, its empty hutches the result of expensive rates that apparently drove historic farm families to bury and inter elsewhere.
0 2025/02/01 12:25:53
Mt. Perdido is one of 'Las Tres Sorores' along with Marbore and Soum de Ramon. Each of those enormous rock legends towers higher than 3000m and are featured on countless postcards, calendars, book covers and the like.
Mt. Perdido is one of 'Las Tres Sorores' along with Marbore and Soum de Ramon. Each of those enormous rock legends towers higher than 3000m and are featured on countless postcards, calendars, book covers and the like.
0 2025/02/02 10:08:30
In the center, one can see the distinctive twin peaks of Los Astuzas (love that name). The leftmost twin is Gran Astuzas, which is 3080m. Its little brother Pequeno Astuzas is 'only' 3012. I mention these measurements to add some perspective. These are Tall mountains. Behind those twins is the popular ice climb 'Couloir Swan,' plus a tarn mountain lake.
In the center, one can see the distinctive twin peaks of Los Astuzas (love that name). The leftmost twin is Gran Astuzas, which is 3080m. Its little brother Pequeno Astuzas is 'only' 3012. I mention these measurements to add some perspective. These are Tall mountains. Behind those twins is the popular ice climb 'Couloir Swan,' plus a tarn mountain lake.
0 2025/02/02 10:09:29
A die-hard American mountain bike couple and their local guide navigating through the immediate Ibon de Plan periphery. Upon our earlier arrival at the parking lot terminus, we had just seen the 'Comlet' megalithic stone circle. That'd been unexpected. So had the filthy condition of the attached Refuge Labasar. Trash had been left uncollected. This had embarrassed Raquel. She was rightly disgusted. We carried on past the massive scree of avalanche-prone Mt. Punta es Litas (2623m).
A die-hard American mountain bike couple and their local guide navigating through the immediate Ibon de Plan periphery. Upon our earlier arrival at the parking lot terminus, we had just seen the 'Comlet' megalithic stone circle. That'd been unexpected. So had the filthy condition of the attached Refuge Labasar. Trash had been left uncollected. This had embarrassed Raquel. She was rightly disgusted. We carried on past the massive scree of avalanche-prone Mt. Punta es Litas (2623m).
0 2025/01/30 23:50:30
Ola Fodorites peoples. My name is Jesus and I am a Spanish mountain guide. You can now see the second installment of Zebec's Spanish Pyrenees TR over in the Spain section. Vamos!
Ola Fodorites peoples. My name is Jesus and I am a Spanish mountain guide. You can now see the second installment of Zebec's Spanish Pyrenees TR over in the Spain section. Vamos!
0 2025/01/31 18:28:18
Cotiella's Clump Massif had a neighbor, the 2427m high Penu del Mediodia. The latter had intriguing patches of gold-coloured scree high above.
Cotiella's Clump Massif had a neighbor, the 2427m high Penu del Mediodia. The latter had intriguing patches of gold-coloured scree high above.
0 2025/01/30 23:51:18
There was a full-on rural quality to the village. We just loved it.
There was a full-on rural quality to the village. We just loved it.
0 2025/01/30 21:28:50
Mountain flora. Also seen were the Edelweiss species 'Leontopodium Alpinum.'
Mountain flora. Also seen were the Edelweiss species 'Leontopodium Alpinum.'
0 2025/01/30 16:00:16
...the mind delights.
...the mind delights.
0 2025/01/30 22:29:28
Spectacular is the only word to describe the Freda Mirador. It was worth the by-now bumpier ride on dirt trails. What far-reaching views! We were most of the way up to the lake by this point and the fresh smell of pine was wonderful. Base-jumpers sometimes utilize the area.
Spectacular is the only word to describe the Freda Mirador. It was worth the by-now bumpier ride on dirt trails. What far-reaching views! We were most of the way up to the lake by this point and the fresh smell of pine was wonderful. Base-jumpers sometimes utilize the area.
0 2025/01/30 23:48:21
These teen punks were into Drake and Lady Gaga.
These teen punks were into Drake and Lady Gaga.
0 2025/01/31 13:32:54
First Usana, Ainsa and the Park (read 'mountains') then we'll conclude up in Bielsa before the French Pyrenees.
First Usana, Ainsa and the Park (read 'mountains') then we'll conclude up in Bielsa before the French Pyrenees.
0 2025/01/30 15:55:22
Our lunch picnic was at the remote Plana Canal hut. More than once, large birds of prey dived from the clouds with force, hunting after something close by. Rabbits? Marmots?
Our lunch picnic was at the remote Plana Canal hut. More than once, large birds of prey dived from the clouds with force, hunting after something close by. Rabbits? Marmots?
0 2025/01/31 13:32:04
Hikers and mountain fans will love Aragon.
Hikers and mountain fans will love Aragon.
0 2025/01/30 15:57:12
The knocker on that same door.
The knocker on that same door.
0 2025/01/30 21:23:11
This map shows the heart of Ordesa-Perdido park proper. It receives the most visitors and those visitors are tightly controlled. To the best of my knowledge, no private vehicles have ever been allowed and there have been but three van tour companies allowed to operate inside the park. My Torla connection was one of them and an outfit with the same name also was in nearby Broto. The third van company was in Fanlo, but it seems out of business now.
This map shows the heart of Ordesa-Perdido park proper. It receives the most visitors and those visitors are tightly controlled. To the best of my knowledge, no private vehicles have ever been allowed and there have been but three van tour companies allowed to operate inside the park. My Torla connection was one of them and an outfit with the same name also was in nearby Broto. The third van company was in Fanlo, but it seems out of business now.
0 2025/02/02 19:41:28
Ethereal sunrises never ceased...
Ethereal sunrises never ceased...
0 2025/01/30 22:24:44
Back in Solomonte's Escalona HQ basement, Raquel and Juancho operate a climbing wall activity to train kids. One of those children is the daughter of the couple who own Usana's aforementioned Dos Arcos B&B.
Back in Solomonte's Escalona HQ basement, Raquel and Juancho operate a climbing wall activity to train kids. One of those children is the daughter of the couple who own Usana's aforementioned Dos Arcos B&B.
0 2025/02/01 12:29:27
The steep and deep ravine is popular with hardy hikers. We only lasted part way. *A coincidence. We actually saw the above-pictured guide Raquel leading a troupe of 20 senior hikers there, not realizing whom she was! We'd not yet met her and did not know what she looked like. We finally met her for the first time a couple of days later, along with her husband Juancho.
The steep and deep ravine is popular with hardy hikers. We only lasted part way. *A coincidence. We actually saw the above-pictured guide Raquel leading a troupe of 20 senior hikers there, not realizing whom she was! We'd not yet met her and did not know what she looked like. We finally met her for the first time a couple of days later, along with her husband Juancho.
0 2025/01/31 13:33:35
There, one finds the excellent four-bedroom Dos Arcos B&B. Owners Emma and Yiftach had agreed to be available for assistance if we'd needed any upon our arrival. Mrs Z and I appreciated their gesture, even though we eventually found the secret location of our hidden door key aided by the actual owner lady. Yiftach also operates a Bike Workshop with tours. Their impossibly-clever children are trilingual and will be quick to tell you that!!!
There, one finds the excellent four-bedroom Dos Arcos B&B. Owners Emma and Yiftach had agreed to be available for assistance if we'd needed any upon our arrival. Mrs Z and I appreciated their gesture, even though we eventually found the secret location of our hidden door key aided by the actual owner lady. Yiftach also operates a Bike Workshop with tours. Their impossibly-clever children are trilingual and will be quick to tell you that!!!
0 2025/01/30 21:28:29
While viewing this holm oak, we were approached by duck hunters. "Seen anything so far?" they asked. "Naw, just some marmots n' chamois tracks," came the reply. The rock bastion Castillo Major (2014m) was in front of us. Beside it were the highly-visible trio of snowcapped peaks known as 'The 3 Marias.' Using Julian's binoculars, we saw cliff faces stained from the white shit of 'bearded' nesting Egyptian/African vultures. Birds of prey were ever-present high in the skies throughout this trip.
While viewing this holm oak, we were approached by duck hunters. "Seen anything so far?" they asked. "Naw, just some marmots n' chamois tracks," came the reply. The rock bastion Castillo Major (2014m) was in front of us. Beside it were the highly-visible trio of snowcapped peaks known as 'The 3 Marias.' Using Julian's binoculars, we saw cliff faces stained from the white shit of 'bearded' nesting Egyptian/African vultures. Birds of prey were ever-present high in the skies throughout this trip.
0 2025/01/31 13:17:07
That same wonderful terrace view also included a nearby semi-derelict church in neighbouring Banaston village. It was located across some gnarly bluffs, raw and wild (see below).
That same wonderful terrace view also included a nearby semi-derelict church in neighbouring Banaston village. It was located across some gnarly bluffs, raw and wild (see below).
0 2025/01/30 21:30:15
*Later in Belsierre, her high school classmate Oscar drove by in his new one-person vehicle! He owns the modern tourist rental village there. The smell of cow manure was extremely powerful in Puertolas above. But those of who were born on farms feel that a multi-sensory approach is essential to grasp the full experience. And seriously, it'd be a great education for kids.
*Later in Belsierre, her high school classmate Oscar drove by in his new one-person vehicle! He owns the modern tourist rental village there. The smell of cow manure was extremely powerful in Puertolas above. But those of who were born on farms feel that a multi-sensory approach is essential to grasp the full experience. And seriously, it'd be a great education for kids.
0 2025/02/01 12:25:23
We felt sorry for this Canuck bum traveler and gave him a lift.
We felt sorry for this Canuck bum traveler and gave him a lift.
0 2025/01/30 16:03:42
0 2025/02/02 19:52:51
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