Pico Escala, 2297m...the day I survived to an avalanche...March, 9th 14

Second day of my trip to western Pyrenees. On Sunday I was meeting some people of the splitboarding forum. All of us wanted something short and easy, included me. We went to a place one of us knew very well, in fact he had gone over this same route 3 weeks ago.

We left the car in the parking of Astun and start skinning up towards the lakes of Escalar, in this time frozen. There were many many people in this area

From the lakes we decided to hike up to Escalar peak among all the options that this "corner" in Astun offers.

The rocky peak at the background is the Midi d´Ossue.

The reason why we chose this peak is that one of its sides leded directly to the parking. So this is me dropping in. The pak wasnt very high, just around 2200m.

Almost in the parking with amazing views of the peaks of Candanchu. The scenary was in fact very beatiful despite being in the surroundings of the ski resort. We were at 1900m and there was less than 300m to get to the car.....WHEN...

.... the layer of snow suddenly broke. We were three of us and we waited for each other to start as a basic rule. I was the second one and it caught me after a few turns. The first one was way down me and was also caught whereas the third one was luckier and remained just a couple of meters above of the breaking point.

The thing is we two were pulled meters and meters.  I dont know how much time I was in the avalanche, but it seems a lot of time since I saw how the snow cracked and it stopped. I remember very well trying to stay above from the snow and managed to. At one point I thought I was going to fail, because there was a kind of hole and the snow went in reverse, just like in the rivers when the water encounters rocks. My concern was to be stopped by that snow in reverse and the proper avalanche pushing me down.

Good for all of us, none of us was buried. In my case I was pulled all that slope. so it wasnt a child game. I could have died.

First time after like 130 days in the mountains wih my board that I dont just see an avalanche but I was caught by it. The risk of avalanche that day was 2, since we were below 2100m (3 up that). Its true that it was warm and that was south face but the slope had pines, several tracks of people who have gone down first and was the fourth day of stable weather (anticyclone). Even with this knowledge and having the equipment I guess we all stand odds of this. This is mountains in winter.

Bisaurin, 2668m....a giant of western Pyrenees...March, 8th 14

There we go....One month after the last one but I managed to go up to the Pyrenees this weekend after some personal issues. To be honest, I needed to do it. After a resounding Yes for the first question, Do I have to go? The second question, where exactly would I like to go? wasnt that easy to respond. Aran and France werent worth going there because  powder is gone, Cerdanya was my last trip, Benasque is better for the last of the season, my goals in Andorra are more for April and I still have to buy maps for other zones....Then I remember Jaca wasnt that far, and for me was a whole new place to discover but familiar. Within the zone, Bisaurin was probably the best one to start with...and was in my mind for years since its the "highest range" in Pyrenees which is nearest to Asturias.

Due to different issues I got Lizara (1450m) at 11am and set up few minutes later. There its the summit...but still so far up...

The trail goes around the mountin in . After some up-hills there is a traverse and then it goes all straight up to a kind of coll which is the lowest point of this picture.

Once in the coll, the way up to the summit is clear. This huge slope steadily gets steeper up to a point in which crampons where required.

After overcoming the other half of the ascent (600m) I got the summit. We were tons of people up there...I took myself a picture with Le Midi d´Ossue right betwen my head and board. The snowy ridge of Bisaurin at its best!

Westwards the most alpine part of the Navarrian Pyrenees: Mesa de los Tres Reyes, Anie...From there, the Pyrenees are almost over. I almost got to see my Cantabrican sea...jajaja.

Consider, that Bisaurin is the first peak higher than Torre Cerredo. The roof of Picos de Europa is the highest peak in 400km radius.

And here it comes....the GREAT and GIANT slope of Bisaurin. Not surprinsingly, Bisaurin is well known for its great descent along the south face. And if you happen to catch it with this gorgeous corn snow....its simply and orgasm...! 

Wide, steep, long, perfect....

Once in the coll, the descent its not over...Its not such a great one like the first part, but there is still 600m left to keep enjoying...

Last turns approaching Lizara refuge.

A highly recommended activity...Seriously, one of the best descents I ve made here in the Pyrenees...I guess I caught it in super good conditions, but still...1200m of pure happiness.