Parque Natural Posets Maladeta Trek 2018

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Phillip Flynn
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1 Page 1 of 6: Parque Natural Posets Maladeta, Spanish high mountains in their prime! Parque Natural Posets Maladeta Trek 2018 Hike along the giants of the Pyrenees on the Spanish side of the border The nature area of Posets/Maladeta is situated in the middle of the Spanish Pyrenees. The ash gray summits form mighty ridges with beautiful green valley s separating them. Passing over several of the highest summits we cross this area from west to east. The route takes us from amazing glacier valley s over high mountain passes. We climb to several summits where we have 360⁰ panoramas towards France and parts of the Spanish countryside. Most likely the most impressive part of these views is the fact that twice during the trip we can overlook our en`re journey like standing on the map. The trip covers al`tudes between 1000 and 3400 meters and we move past the old ash gray summits and dying glaciers. Along the way we will tell you about the history of the area and give you an impression of what the local Spanish have experienced in the past 200 years. We sleep in different cabins on our journey but there are also days when we have the luxury of a hotel to look forward to. The post-summer sun makes you believe that it is summer again despite the fall colors in the valley trees. Program 1 Travel to Toulouse and arrival in Bielsa Before noon on the first day we aim to gather at the airport of Toulouse. On arrival our local guides will wait for us and we will leave for Bielsa as soon everyone has arrived. Expected arrival in Bielsa is around 2PM, where we will have a small lunch. This is a regular `me for the Spaniard, even a lifle bit early! Ager lunch we make a small tour close to the village to prepare ourselves for the first part of the hike the next day. Before diner you will have `me to rest and do some sightseeing in this cosy mountain village. More or less 300 meter ascent, 300 meter descent, 4 km and 3 hours walking 2 Start of the journey from Bielsa to Refugio de Vadiós Our journey starts with an easy first kilometer to the campsite downstream from the hotel. Behind the campsite we follow the path into the woods up the mountain. The final effort towards the saddle is open field and here we the mountains treat us with the first stunning views. Crossing the saddle to the other side we look upon the world we will be visi`ng this week. We descend to the valley on the other side and ager crossing the river we climb a small ascent to the cabin. It is a long day but the terrain is rela`vely easy. The amount of climbing is a good test of fitness for the rest of the journey. More or less 1600 meter ascent, 900 meter descent, 22.5 km and 8 hours walking

2 Page 2 of 6: Parque Natural Posets Maladeta, Spanish high mountains in their prime! 3 Round trip from Refugio de Viadós Leaving the cabin we walk westbound over the GR-11. We round the mountain which we will climb this day and leave the GR-11 on the other side of it. From there a proper climb starts and the landscape will change rapidly. First there is forest, next only small plants and grass and close to the top only rocks cover the surface. From the back side it is easy to access the summit. From here we have a wonderful view over the valley and we can see the impressive Pico Posets, our goal for the next day. To save the legs for the days to come we descent in a gentle pace. Ager returning to the back side of the summit we take a right and walk down a slope covered in gravel to end up at a stream. We follow the stream to the cabin. More or less 1150 meter ascent, 1150 meter descent, 14 km and 6 hours walking 4 From Refugio de Viadós over Pico Posets to Refugio Angel Orús From the cabin we follow the GR-11 to leave it at the foot of Pico Posets. Ager crossing the river the path starts to go up. Wide paths become narrow or disappear altogether. Where the slopes are green of grass and trees at the foot of the mountain, the path takes us to the steep gravel slopes which remained ager the glaciers pulled back. Along the way we need to use our hands several `mes, especially at the sharp and somewhat airy ridge leading to the summit, while we look at the last remains of the glacier below. Ager visi`ng the highest point of the journey at nearly 3400 meters the descent is much more gradual on the other side. More or less 1625 meter ascent, 1250 meter descent, 11.5 km and 9 hours walking 5 From Refugio Angel Orús to Refugio de Estos From the cabin we start by descending to the river. We follow the river upstream and climb back into the broad valley to the GR The GR paths are well marked but be aware it isn t always a walk in the park. Ager crossing the highest point of the day we find ourselves using our hands to get down safely. But as a treat the path leads us between scenic lakes in which we can swim to cool down on a hot day and through the soothing forest in Vall de la Coma. Ager a rela`vely short day we arrive at the cabin which is hidden between the trees in the middle of a valley surrounded by high summits. More or less 800 meter ascent, 1025 meter descent, 11 km and 6 hours walking 6 From Refugio de Estos to Hotel Turpi Leaving the cabin the path takes us to the entrance of the valley but before we get there we turn leg and start climbing. During the steep climb the scenery changes rapidly. We approach the ash grey mountains on the border with France and round the Pico Perdiqueret. From the boulder fields at the west to the saddle in the north and the small lake east we keep the toothed summit to our right. By following the river that roars down from the lake into the valley below we enter Vall de Benasque. Here awaits us a warm welcome in Hotel Turpi. More or less 700 meter ascent, 1050 meter descent, 10.5 km and 6 hours walking

3 Page 3 of 6: Parque Natural Posets Maladeta, Spanish high mountains in their prime! 7 From Hotel Turpi over Pico d Alba to Refugio de la Renclusa From Hotel Turpi we start to climb immediately. We afack the mountain head on. An afen`ve start of the day will be important. Reaching 2000 meters the terrain becomes friendlier for a while and we pass by a lake with a mysterious water flow. Ager that the severe climbing con`nues. Large boulder field are interrupted by grass zones without any clear path. Near to the summit we go up a final steep part to reach our second 360 view of the trip at 3100 meters. Again we see the en`re course of our trip from here. The descent is steep but quick and in no `me we will reach the next cabin. More or less 1550 meter ascent, 950 meter descent, 9.5 km and 7.5 hours walking 8 From Refugio de la Renclusa to Vall de Aràn We start the day with a short climb to cross the ridge to the east of the cabin to descent from there to the Cascada d Aiguallut, one of the touris`c afrac`ons of the area. At this point we take an old route up the mountain, which many genera`ons of Spaniards used every winter to cross the mountains to France to take on seasonal work at the farms. We climb up the north slope of the valley and end up at Puerto de Benás. We keep the ash grey summits on the border to our leg and the glaciers of Pico Aneto on our right. As we reach the next saddle we cross over to the Autonomic Region of Catalunya (province Lleida). The border with France makes a straight corner to the leg and we follow it. The path on the ridge is more or less the border line on the map. At the end of the ridge we climb up for the last `me to have a magical view on the Maladeto-Aneto ridge. Ager that we descent the way we came and from the ridge we turn leg. The high mountain meadows are replaced for a forest in fall colours. At the end of the path where it hits the road our journey ends. On the parking the taxi awaits us to take us to Vielha. More or less 1275 meter ascent, 2200 meter descent, 21.5 km and 8 hours walking 9 Back to civiliza\on The relaxing night in luxury hotel El Ciervo marks the end of this holiday. Ager breakfast the taxi leaves in the direc`on of Toulouse. You will arrive at the airport before noon and we say goodbye to our local guides. You have the agernoon to travel home and organize your stuff at home before dreaming about this trip in your own bed. Profile of the trip & the traveller You enjoy long days of hiking through the mountains with like minded, adventure loving people. You do not have trouble carrying your own luggage in a good backpack (cabin/spare clothing, cloth bag, lunch, snacks and your camera). You are used to walking in versa`le highal`tude terrain; block site is not an impregnable obstacle for you. You are fit and you don t mind taking a significant number of al`tude meters every day. And you shine, despite the fact that the sun will probably shine every day, brighter than the sun with every panoramic view that the journey has to offer to you :-)

4 Page 4 of 6: Parque Natural Posets Maladeta, Spanish high mountains in their prime! Flying in & out the Pyrenees Air `ckets are available from 170 per person onwards incl. 1 piece of checked baggage, reserva`on costs and CO2 emission compensa`on (price subject to change). There are direct flight connec`ons to Toulouse with Air France KLM. Preferred flights are outbound flights in the morning and return flights in the agernoon. Best rates can be requested for early bookers. During the booking of the trip you can indicate whether you prefer to organize the outward and return journey yourself or instruct us to do it. For your informa`on: we are happy to take care of the organisa`on of flights and request the best rates from reliable airlines. The terms and condi`ons of the airlines apply to booked flights. Booking the flight yourself is of course a goo op`on as well. Always contact 360 Explore first before you book your flight. We can check the connec`on of your flight schedule to the trip and confirm whether there are already enough travel companions to guarantee departure of the trip. When you book yourself, you will meet the 360 guide and travel companions at the star`ng point of the journey. This is usually the first accommoda`on or first overnight. Trip costs 6-7 persons 1276 p.p. 8-9 persons 1226 p.p persons 1176 p.p. 12 persons 1126 p.p. Surcharge for single rooms on request (not possible in the mountain huts) Remarks For your convenience and to clarify: almost everything is included in the price of this trip and you will not have to spend much addi`onal money during the hike. Things you might spend money on are (alcoholic) beverages, addi`ons for lunch and meals while traveling to and from the gathering point. Furthermore our local guides provide us with the luxury of taking part of our luggage to the end of the hike. Therefore it is advised to separately pack your stuff before leaving your home so you can quickly hand it over at the end of day 1. Included 8 nights, double room & lagers Full board (breakfast, pic-nick and supper) from lunch on the first day at the start loca`on `ll breakfast on day 10 (except for diner on day 8) Complete first aid kit specialized for remote areas including medica`on Complete climate compensa`on for your trip through Trees for All (including flights) Usage of SPOT emergency beacon and op`onal loca`on updates for the people at home Experienced, familiar & cer`fied 360 hiking guide (fluent in Dutch, English): UIMLA Interna`onal Mountain Leader (IML) & Wilderness First Responder (WFR) Trip guarantee through the Dutch founda`on STO (S`ch`ng Take-Over)

5 Page 5 of 6: Parque Natural Posets Maladeta, Spanish high mountains in their prime! 2 local guides with unique knowledge about flora, fauna, geology and history of the area (fluent in Dutch, English, Spanish and local languages) 7 day trek through Parque Natural Posets Maladeta All transfers according to program (including airport) with chartered transport Haglöfs outdoor gig of 360 (pilot trip) Excluded Interna`onal flight to and from Toulouse Our final supper in at the end of the journey in Vielha Personal treads: drinks, `ps, snack etc. Travel insurance (mandatory) and cancella`on insurance (op`onal) Insurance If you par`cipate in a trip, it is necessary to take out travel insurance that covers mountain hikes. Please consult your insurance agent for this. Op`onally, cancella`on insurance can be taken out. Level - Challenging You are a mountain hiker who loves to go off the beaten paths. A day with big al`tude gain and loss is no problem. You move easily in stony and rocky terrain and you do like a physical challenge. Think of an 8 hour walking day. The Parque Natural Posets Maladeta Trek 2018 trip is a pilot. Minor changes to the program or a logis`cal challenge that unexpectedly occurs can happen. Our experience shows that the 360 travellers appreciate this kind of adventure. If you want to embark on this adventure, you will receive a gig from Haglöfs as a thank you!

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The rewards more than make up for the efforts of seeing the country this is a truly unforgettable trek.

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