Win� hiking in �e F�n� Py�ne�

On the look-out forsun andsnow

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Vi� $ so�l!! – ��e's ac�By 2ill a s0! On �e �ird day �e s0 e�n�By 45s >t.

Co5 �! We'� 2ill �t 2 days' hiking in ��h s�w �d s0shine.

S�p �r �n� in �e s0shine, M�e �d To% Dn s`K" b3ie� it.

...�K 4n�2 in �e lley – in �e baMg�0d: Le TBi� (3144 m)

Win� w�J+d @ �e ba� of Le TBi� (3144 m)

�d Pic � Ga%8>s (3031 m)

Like a mis_ng �o� in �e Py�n�n mas_f: �e Brè�e � Ro+d.

Tה su�it is in ?ew – Pic Ent� $s Porʦ (2454 m).

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C�i2ina

TheTEAMsaysthankyouandgood-bye

M�e

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Phi�p

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favourite products on our trip

Pyrenees National Park

The French "Parc National des Pyrénées" and the Spanish Ordesa National Park togetherform a conservation area that contains one of the last unspoilt mountainous regions ofEurope. The French national park covers a core area of 457 km2. The landscape alternatesbetween ruggedly romantic valleys and waterfalls, icy peaks and rock cliffs. One of themost impressive features is the Cirque de Gavarnie, a huge basin with a rock cliff very po-pular with mountaineers plus one of the highest waterfalls in Europe. The encircling moun-tains rise up more than 1500 m above the base of the basin.

Pyrenees National Park: www.parc-pyrenees.com/

Accommodation

In summer there is a well-developed network of catered hostels (refuges). In winter it isworth checking out in advance which refuges are open. The mountain huts range fromcomfortable with heating, hot showers and a menu to basic, small, self-catering. If you area member of a national mountaineering club, accommodation is sometimes a bit cheaper.

We made our base in the comfortable Hotel Le Marboré in Gavarnie, a small village in themiddle of the national park. In the Vallée du Marcadau we spent the night in the very iso-lated but comfortable Refuge Wallon. The hut was managed by three friendly guys whoget all their supplies brought up by the skiers in winter. The Refuge des Espuguettes pro-vided us with a great break to get warm and dry.

Hotel Le Marboré: http://www.lemarbore.com/hotel.htm Refuge Wallon: http://www.refuge-wallon.net/informationother refuges: http://www.pyrenees-refuges.com/ http://www.gites-refuges.com/

Trip options

The winter sports regions in the Pyrenees are smaller than in the Alps but quieter and oftenmore idyllic. Besides ski lifts, there are opportunities for cross-country skiing, skiing tours andsnowshoe hiking. We made Gavarnie our base and did various day trips on snow shoes in theCirque de Gavarnie, in the Marcadau valley and in the Cirque de Troumouse with the Lac desGloriettes.

Maps

Topographical map for walkers: Rando Editions / IGN Institut Géographique National Pyrénées, 1: 50000, Pyrénées, carte 4: Bigorre.

Photos: Philip Baske