Samedi Mai 16, Puigmal, Pyrenees

From building sand castles along the Costa Maresme to the snow capped Pyrenees in a few hours drive, who would have thought. 

I asked my sister, who lives in Barcelona, if she knew any BC skiers, and sure enough her friend Xavier, whom she had met going up Kilimanjaro, was an enthusiast, so I threw my beacon, AT boots and some other items into the luggage.

Xavier was eyeballing a try on Aneto, the highest mountain in the Pyrenees, but the weather was bad all week, so we ended up with part of Saturday left and some good weather.  On Friday Xavier helped me get fixed up with some gear at a really awesome shop VERTIC in the area, then picked me up at 5 AM in Saint Cugat and we headed inland for an hour and a half, past dark outlines of mountains, through a 5 km tunnel, and emergend into a valley surrounded by snowy mountains.  The snow line appeared to be about 2000 meters on north aspects, which was good news because the trailhead at Puigmal was at 2100 meters.

After driving into France (no real border any more) and out of town up into the hills, we got to the base of the recently closed ski area at 7.  Sure enough, the snow started a few yards up the road so after a very short carry and a stream crossing, we were skinning on nice hard snow, just slightly icy.  We were joined by Jordie, who we met in the parking lot and went with us most of the way up.

The climb was 850 meters to an altitude of about 2950 meters (about 9000 feet).  Glorious views were had all around, then a fun and easy descent on softening snow, we had timed it just right.

After a quick shower at Xavier's ski place in the valley, we headed back, now in daylight and able to see all the great scenery.

A great way to get May turns, and it shows that there is always a good trip going if you remember to ask around.