Congost de Mont-rebei

By Dan Rusu <de_rusu@yahoo.com>

The Congost de Mont-rebei or Mont-rebei Gorge is a spectacular route carved in the Montsec by Ribagorzana Noguera river. It is natural border between Lleida and Huesca (Aragon and Catalonia) and shares territory with the protected areas of the Nature Reserve of La Noguera and Montsec.

The gorge is impressive for its scenery and its dimensions. At some points, the width is reduced to 20 meters while in others the vertical walls rise up to 500 meters. Along the way, through the path carved into the rock, they show points of interest such as the suspension bridge of Barranco de Sant Jaume, located 40 above the river.

The Congost de Mont-rebei is also an area of great ecological value because of its endemic flora and its wildlife, which include raptors such as the osprey, vultures and golden eagle. The adventurous can opt for hiking, downhill kayaking, mountaineering, caving and even the bike path to enjoy the incredible scenery of this natural, almost untouched area.

The Congost de Mont-rebei is one of the most spectacular routes in Catalonia. It has been said that it is the "only great gorge virgin territory", a narrow path that follows a path excavated (1982) in the rock following the course of the Noguera Ribagorzana, river border with Aragon. It is located between Lleida and Aragon, between the regions of La Noguera and Pallars Jussà, crossing the Serra del Montsec.

In the most points, up to 500m cliff, are arranged handrail. Also banks during the route. There are those who dare to cross it and in summer bike tours abound kayaking, overwhelmed these by an inverted vertigo. The main attraction, besides the eternal landscape, is the suspension bridge in the Barranco de Sant Jaume: 40m vacuum beneath our feet.

The widest point of Congost de Mont-rebei is 20 m. The highest vertical drop of 500 m. The itineraries are disparate and can be covered on foot, by bike (only the boldest) and kayaking, sailing.

The routes start from Sant Esteve de la Sarga, after passing the town of Puente de Montañana.

Route 1: following the GR-1, 4 km itinerary back and forth with an estimated 4 hours duration. It is the usual route. You can vary and reach the cliffs stairs Montfalcó.

Route 2: The Queixigar and lookout d'Altamiris: 2 km for a duration of more than 3 hours. It also crosses the suspension bridge and the gorge of the Maçana.

Route 3: l'Obaga Gran i Carboners, travel 2.5 km along the Camino de les Tarteres. After passing the ravine de les Jullanes links to route 2.

Cross Country Skiing

By RobJuxon@gmail.com 

A subject not yet covered in the Lions directory of Knowledge is the wonderful sport of Cross Country Skiing.  As a first timer Lion for 2016, I thought worth sharing some experiences of a favorite sport.  I must also admit that it is a vain attempt to prove to our illustrious leader, Antonio, that I have indeed been doing some training for our May adventure.  It is also directly linked to the Pyrenees where there are a number of fantastic resorts available for cross country skiing over the winter months. 

Cross Country skiing is a form of skiing where skiers rely on their own efforts to move across snow-covered terrain, rather than using ski lifts or other forms of assistance. It is widely practiced as a sport and recreational activity, especially in the Nordic regions.  There are two main types, that of “Classic” where skiers ski along pre cut tracks in the snow, in a running style action, and “Skating” which uses a different type of ski and skiers will make their way along a much wider pisted track in a skating action.  Both are Olympic Sports, and when combined with shooting also make for the two components of Biathlon. 

I was first introduced to the Sport when in the British Army many years ago when sent away to compete in a season of Biathlon racing as a young Officer.  There can be worse missions to be sent on! Ever since, I have loved to keep it up and in particular like the resort of Seefeld in Austria, possibly one of the top resorts in Europe for Cross Country skiers. 

As part of the training for the Lions trip, I found myself in Switzerland this past March, ready to take part in the world’s largest Cross Country Ski race, known as “The Engadin”.   The race has been running every March for 48 years and is a 42 km marathon across the lakes and hills surrounding St. Moritz in Switzerland. 

The Start of the Engadin heading across the lakes above St Moritz 

Along with a group of friends, we headed to Switzerland for a few days of advance acclimatization and training in the run up to the race.  This is essential when knowing that the race is at about 1,800 meters above sea level and even at the best of times it can take several days to get one’s ski legs working.

For the race, skiers can chose to either use the “classic” style or “skating” style as they prefer.  Classic tends to be easier to learn at first. However, skating is significantly faster and the vast majority of skiers tend to go with that. 

The race day starts with an early breakfast and then fleets of buses taking competitors to the start.  There is an array of Pens for competitors to muster, depending on their rankings.  First timers start at the back.  The Elite racers will start at 8 am and can be finished in an incredible 1 hour 35 minutes. Anything below 4 hours is considered to be pretty good. 

Just as in cycling, skiers will draft each other as they shelter from the wind and let the leaders take the hard work 

In glorious conditions we set off, only to very quickly lose each other.  The reality of this kind of race is that everyone needs to go at their own pace.  The key, in my view, is to keep one’s heart rate below 150 at all times, never be “anaerobic”, where muscles will tighten up and glycogen stores can deplete quickly.  Also, keep well fed at the food and drink stations along the way.   Thankfully, all went well and digging deep into reserves on the very painful last miles we all got around in one piece, arriving to the sound of a band and celebrations as thousands skiers hobble to their kit bags and the trains awaiting to take people home.  In true Swiss style, the event is very well organized and for any budding Skier, I would thoroughly recommend it.  One member of our group was over 60 years old, and with only a weeks ski training managed to complete the race.

There are many great locations to practice across the Pyrenees over the winter such as Baqueira and Grandvalira – Pas de la Casa.

Photo: Rob Juxon holing on with just a few kilometers to go

The Sacred Roman Empire and the conflict with the Cathars

By MarcSaade94@gmail.com

For a few centuries, the Pyrenees were part of the Sacred Roman Empire.

In the 13th century, the Cathars (meaning “pure” in Greek) have set up a Christian religion outside Catholicism, regarded as heretical by the ruling Church.

The new religious group were based around modern day Langue d’Oc (Foix, AudeValley, Corbieres). They formed an anti-sacerdotal party in opposition to the Catholic Church. They were opposed to the perceived moral, spiritual and political corruption of the Church, who tried to contain and stop their popularity at first, then continued the persecution of Cathars to their suppression and eventual extinction. 

Cathar heritage can be found in Carcassone, Montsegur, Queribus, Peyerepertuse in the form of poems and songs of the troubadours and in the Occitan linguistic and artistic heritage.

In subsequent times, the Pyrenees were theatre of important historical events: treaties were signed there, because of their geographical position they were both considered haven and obstacle, depending on which side one was stood; their history was inevitably determined by the people who inhabited them, and fought over possession of them. 

Their magnificence has not diminished in the course of the centuries, despite human intervention at times detrimental to the environment and the habitats inherent to them. Their appeal, their invitation to explore, challenge and enjoy remains one of the great pleasures for all to experience.

Weather Forecast: 2016 Expedition

By Scott.Fertig@aya.yale.edu

Fellow Lions and Cubs,

At the direction of our esteemed General and Leader, I share with you the weather forecast for the high Pyrenees. Please note that in early to mid May the weather is HIGHLY variable. While it is currently a balmy 18 degrees at the Panticosa Refugio, it can get stormy and cold at any time when you are at or above 1,000 m.



Please bring the appropriate footwear and more winter clothes than you think you need this time of year for the Trekking.

The forecast below is for 2,500 meters; this is well below the mountain’s peak.  Even at 1,500 meters, the near-term forecast calls for freezing rain and temperatures not much above 0.

Now that I have your attention, all should have a good and safe time if you bring the proper clothes. Lots of layers, rainproof pants, etc as listed in the equipment guide. 

 

Lions on the ropes… So what?

By AlexandrePaisDaSilva@gmail.com

“Better to know a knot and not need it, than need a knot and not know it.”


As our May expedition approaches and as an aspiring Lion, unfamiliar with the Pyrenees and, unfortunately, not very knowledgeable about the region’s historical legacy, I propose you a more practical and hopefully not so useful contribution focused on the use of rope (paracord) in emergency or unexpected situations.

Drawing from my sailing experience, rope (in Portugal “rope” has a different meaning at sea and only means actual rope in land) is an overused resource to cater for many needs aboard including rigging, lashing, hoisting, anchoring, stowing items, trailering, sewing sails, performing immediate repairs and controlling several mechanical systems (in the old days, it even enabled a non-electronic auto-pilot!)

I will not bother to mention the plentiful uses of rope to meet hunting, basic weaponry or fishing needs, widely explored by so-called “prepper” and “survival” groups, which are second nature skills to Lions anyway. Instead, I will try to highlight some practical applications that may come handy considering the challenges ahead.

Health & Safety Always Come First

As we do not expect emergency doors and lighting to lead us to the gentle arms of resourceful firemen following the tripping of any alarm, it is worth remembering what any of us can accomplish with a bit of paracord. 

Paracord is strong enough to lash together an emergency stretcher or to tie splints in place on a broken limb. A quick and effective tourniquet can also make a huge difference where aid is hours away.



It is also worth noting that the inner strands can be used as emergency suture (God forbid), as well as to floss one’s teeth (Lions do keep their teeth sharp and shinny!)

A “Fireman’s” knot is also a handy knot to know, if a Lion has to be moved safely between different height levels or across large obstacles.



Lions away from the prairies: climbing and abseiling

When it comes to enjoy the views, tree steps can be improvised from lumber or split wood with two holes drilled and then lashed to the tree trunk with paracord, wrapped around the trunk twice, so it will self-tighten when weight is applied.

A simpler tree-climbing tool, as used in the tropics, is a figure-eight shaped loop used to help the feet grip the tree trunk.

Dealing with heavy loads

No matter how fit, a Lion’s strength lies mostly between his hair and his chest. Should there be a need to displace a heavy load (a rock, big logs or other nearly unsurmountable obstacles in a Lion’s way), a couple of solutions may prove helpful. Paracord can be looped through two chain repair links, or two (or more) carabiners, to make an improvised hoist. The Spanish windlass system may also be helpful to move heavy or stuck objects for small distances. Since Lions will have to rely on bicycles at some point, some argue this system can be used as a wrench on a bicycle, for instance. I never actually tried this particular use, so here’s a picture:



White savanna hardships

As an aspiring Lion, I struggle with the idea of having to dwell in the snow: the LoP must be a very special breed after all. That is nowhere near as venturing out in fine gold sandy beaches which is my natural habitat in the southwestern tip of Europe. However, it is worth knowing how to come to grips with the harshness of the territory, if May prolongs the skiing season.

Emergency tire chains can be made from single or braided paracord, by lashing around tires, like this:



Should a Lion find himself (safely) on foot and unable to progress at a sufficiently majestic pace through the snow, again, clove hitches and a few branches may keep the Lions on the move with some improvised snow shoes:



By the way, paracord is always useful as a guideline/lifeline when walking in blizzard conditions, especially when touring along some of the impressive scenarios depicted in photographs from previous years.

As for other interesting applications of paracord, there are plenty of articles and books to read through. I also recall the recently published article “Surviving a night in the mountains…without internet connection of phone signal”, and so I will not elaborate further on the paracord uses to secure shelter, fire or water. They are many and Patrick as surely covered enough.

I shall not dare to propose updating the compulsory equipment list repeatedly sent to us all by Sir Antonio Irastorza. I would however suggest that a 20 feet paracord individual contribution would do no harm and may always end up recycled on the way back home as a lovely decoration or strand gift to the wife and kids with a very special and hard won significance.

WELCOME MESSAGE by Antonio, LIONS TIMES 2016

By Sir Anthony Irastorza

7 April 2016

Dear fellow adventurers,

It is a pleasure to be writing these lines once again. When speaking a few weeks ago with our honorable Editor, Alexander Turcan, about the importance of maintaining the LIONS TIMES, you probably have seen some “old” issues of the magazine over the last few weeks, and as I see them it brings to veteran Lions very good memories of those previous expeditions. For this reason, I am very grateful to our Editor for this task.

In just over a month we will be meeting again at the Barcelona Airport for the start of the 2016 Lions Pyrenees Expedition. I am glad to say that this year we will be a large group of adventurers. This brings with itself some logistics challenges, but with the help of all we will handle them in the best way we can.

As veteran Lions know, it is a great feeling, not only when one receives the initial approval to join the Lions in the democratic tribunal that we hold in Barbastro, just before the “Survivors Dinner” on the last day of the May expeditions. But also when one’s name is mentioned at the Oriental Club and goes forward to receive the decoration (the Lions medal) from the hands of a Lord, Lady, Sir, Ambassador or Admiral during the traditional Lions Annual Dinner in London each November.

We go away from our work and our families for a few days to overcome the various difficulties and challenges that the organizing team has prepared for us, with the knowledge that we can and will overcome them all, even if they throw at us: snow, hail, avalanches, flash floods, etc. The Lions of the Pyrenees, with the help of the great professional Mountain Guides, have been known to grow in determination when difficulties arise.

We all know that these days of adventure are much more than a few days where one does crazy and risky activities; it is much more a team effort of endurance and collaboration, so that very ordinary men are capable of doing great things. Camaraderie and friendship is very much part of those days. We try to help others to have a good time and as a consequence we have much greater time together, making a real group of brothers in arms.

It is also an opportunity to give thanks to God not only for the beautiful nature we see: mountains, forests, landscapes, wild life, etc., but also for the fact that we are there once again and we give thanks for our own families, for our jobs, for the challenges that the last year has brought to us, and for the friendships that we develop during those days. For all this it is easy to give thanks to God anywhere in the Pyrenees, or in the last day when we visit the statue of the Virgin Mary in the Shrine of Torreciudad, and where we dedicate ourselves and our families to her at the very end of the Expedition. This in itself is a moving experience.

For all the above, and with the encouragement that we all keep training until the end, so that we arrive in good shape to the Expedition, as we all know that if there is a lot of soft snow or water, it can be very tiring to advance, swim or raft. But again those are normal challenges for these tough men. Forward men! To the top!

Altitude Sickness and Dehydration

Many people confuse the symptoms of dehydration with altitude sickness, but at minimally to moderately high altitudes, dehydration is responsible for more illness than oxygen insufficiency.

Effects of Altitude: Humidity is lower at higher altitudes. Sweat evaporates quickly and you may not realize how much water you are losing through exertion. The lower oxygen levels also make you breathe in and out faster and more deeply, so that you lose more water through respiration. According to the Wilderness Medical Society, you lose water through respiration at high altitude twice as quickly as you do at sea level. High altitude can also make you need to urinate more often and can blunt your thirst response, putting you at even greater risk of dehydration.

Watch for signs of dehydration:  Lack of perspiration, dizziness, shortness of breath, nausea, headache, fatigue.

Altitude Sickness has all the signs of dehydration. In addition, altitude sickness signs may include loss of appetite, vomiting, pins and needles, swelling of the hands feet and face. 20% of people develop mild symptoms between 6,300 to 10,000 feet. Serious symptoms do not usually occur until over 12,000 feet. Even then it is not the height that is important, rather the speed in which you ascended to that altitude.  Given enough time, your body will adapt to the decrease in oxygen at a specific altitude. This process is known as acclimatization and generally takes one to three days at any given altitude.

It is advisable to carry water with you wherever you go, and to make a point of drinking frequently. You may be as much as a quart low on fluids before you feel thirsty, and this effect can be magnified at high altitudes. For some reason, many people do not feel as thirsty in higher altitudes as they should, so it is important to take the extra care to drink additional fluids.

Drink Water: Stick to water! Coffee, tea, soda, sugary drinks, and even juice can leech additional fluids from your body. Water is the best hydration fluid there is!

Aneto is the highest mountain in the Pyrenees and in Aragon, and Spain's third-highest mountain, reaching a height of 3,404 meters, 11,168 feet. It lies in the Spanish province of Huesca, the northernmost of all three Aragonese provinces.

By Jeff Brown

SURVIVING A NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS... Without internet connection or phone signal!

Dear intrepid explorers,

After unexpectedly being invited to join this long-standing annual expedition, the first thought on my mind was survival! Where do I get all the necessary equipment needed and how would a city dweller like myself avoid the dangers I could face in the Pyrenees. Thankfully the Lion times has proven a real treasure trove of information ahead of the trip.  

As a rookie explorer I have decided to build on some of the survival pieces that were added to the Lion Times in 2013 and 2014 by going into a bit more detail on surviving an unplanned night in the mountains. I have scoured the internet for help and will try to succinctly outline some of the key ingredients in making it through cold, rain and darkness. In order of importance: shelter, fire, and finally water. I think all of us should be able to survive one night without food!

1. Shelter: For shelter dig deep snow pit, of around 5 feet. Skis, branches and hiking poles are useful to create scaffolding for the roof. Large leaves and foliage as well as small branches are then stacked on top of the scaffolding to complete the roof. Inside the shelter, snow benches covered in branches are best to allow all members of the team to sit and huddle up together in the shelter to preserve warmth. Positive communication, teamwork and keeping the mind busy with tasks will go a long way in preventing everyone from getting caught up in negative thoughts. Please look at the diagrams below for both snow and forest shelters.
   or

2. Fire: Fire provides an endless list of functions from light, to warmth to purifying water and grilling meat, as well as to signal for help. A fire, however, must be planned, prepared, coaxed, laboured, fed and watched. The ability to make fire in varied conditions with varied tools is a critical survival skill and one that involves practice, trial, error, failure and patience. From natural materials to modern tools, it is wise to be knowledgeable in a variety of fire starting methods. Hopefully there will be a smoker amongst us which would save us a lot of hassle in having to do this.

vs. this

3. Water Sources:

• Clear flowing water ideally not originating from a polluting source. If you come across a spring or stream while outdoors, take advantage of it and top off your water bottles. Lakes, ponds and rivers are less ideal. The first two are stagnant, which may mean increased levels of bacteria and other gross things, while large rivers are typically full of pollution.
• Snow and ice can provide a good, readily available source of clean water in the winter. Never eat snow or ice, doing so will lower your body temperature while not doing as much for hydration as melted water will. To melt snow, put it in a container with a little water in the bottom and bring that up to temperature, adding more as the snow melts.
• Never drink seawater or urine, but if they're all you've got, you can boil them and collect the steam with a plastic sheet or bag. A solar still works similarly, but much, much, much slower.
• Wrap branches in plastic and, over time, condensation will form and small amounts of water will collect at low points in the plastic. Never do this with a poisonous plant.

By Patrick Fietje