Lions Get-togethers...

Lions Get-togethers...

Gentlemen (Alastair, Guido and Daniel)

The three of you are responsible of the Get-togethers that we will have at Base Camp in the evenings. Some times we will have a guest speakers, but we do not, please have some songs (Guido you are the Guitarist of the Lions), anecdotes or events which make the gatherings enjoyable.

You do not need to prepare much (except Guido with his songs), but you should help me so that it is a convivial atmosphere, and of some cultural level.
Best regards

A lion of the Pyrenees,
Antonio Irastorza

JOAQUÍN PARICIO, RYTHM AND HARMONY

JOAQUÍN PARICIO, RYTHM AND HARMONY

The long and emotional applause dedicated to Joaquín

Paricio, mayor of El Grado, following his funeral in

Torreciudad on 22 March was the last recognition to a man

who made friendship and service the constants features of

his existence.

Hundreds of people remarkably different in so many

aspects came up to that Marian location on the border of

Ribagorda with Somontano and Sobrarbe. But everybody

was convened by the capacity of harmony and unity that

characterized Joaquin. As with the ovation is the sum

of many personal applauses, each of us had- have- our

experience, our applause, our strength and cadence.

Different but shared. Perhaps it was the last lesson and

last message of a great mayor: Politics with a capital P and

without fussy villagers.

We lived some hours with sadness that turned out happy

and full of hope. On 22 you felt well in High-Aragon, with

an overwhelming sight of nature, light, water and plenty

of snow. I appreciated the fruits of Joaquin’s life and the

groove he has left in so many that are the driving force

of rural development from politics, communication, small

business, citizenship.

At that time of serenity that was the last farewell it was

obvious that it is possible an honest exercise of the political

activity, beyond bad and noisy real examples. Because

most of them work for the general interest, even with

failures and difficulties.

Joaquín built a leadership based on fondness, consistency

and service, as we, the Lions, appreciate in our stays in

Aragon, full of hospitality that Joaquin gave us. Based on

imagination and dedication. Encouraging, creating teams.

With joy, knowing how to distinguish the secondary. A good

example.

I think there lies the great reception that was his party in

Torreciudad: the same reception that was Joaquin’s life, a

life with rhythm and harmony.

Manuel Garrido

A Walk in the Park

A Walk in the Park
By Jose Maria Monfá


Saturday, 10am. Allegedly, the coldest March in Britain since 1962.

Somehow, my deluded self is plotting a way out. Off it goes the text message:

-Morning Antonio. It´s snowing heavily. Should we leave it for another time?
-Chema, the Lions go out whether it hails, snows or thunderstorms. Un abrazo.

I suspect the pints last night might have clouded my judgement. The hint that catching
a cold today won’t assist the severe training we are all meant to keep up clearly
backfired. I should have known better.

Two hours later, as I returned fully covered in mud, I realized I had completely lost
the sense of time. The Heath was spectacular, all white and silent; the extreme cold,
and the concentration required to control the slippery bike and prevent my skull from
crashing, did blurred to that. It was definitely the most refreshing exercise I had in a
while, and all I needed was a subtle nudge.

So, indebted as I am, I thought I´d provide my own nudge to you all to keep up the
motivation levels. In the second part of the article, I’d share my top five inspirational
moments in cycling history. And if that doesn’t work, we can always return to the
classics.

If you can't see the video, click here.

The Chamois Population of the Pyrenees

By Neil Bogle


The Pyrenean chamois Rupicapra pyrenaica (Spanish: rebeco or gamuza; Aragonese: sarrio
or Chizardo; Catalan: isard; French: izard), is an animal that various of the Lions' expeditions
have been fortunate enough to glimpse from time to time. It is a goat antelope that belongs
in the Caprinae subfamily of bovids together with sheep and goats. Chamois dwell not only
in the Pyrenees but also, as other subspecies, in the Cantabrian Mountains and the Apennine
Mountains.

For those who have yet to spot it, the chamois grows up to 80cm tall and has a winter coat of
black/brown with darker patches around the eyes and a summer coat of ruddy brown. At the
time, therefore, the Lions are on the prowl it is likely to be exhibiting elements of both the winter
and summer coats. Both males and females have backward-curved horns which are up to
20cm in length.

They are sure-footed and agile creatures and are found generally above 1,800 metres and up
to 3,000 metres during the warmer months having made migrations from the valley forests to
the more open alpine meadows. In late autumn and winter they return to lower altitudes and
have been observed as low as 1,100 metres but usually keep to the steeper slopes. It has been
noted that in recent years some populations have started to permanently inhabit forested areas.
They browse on grass, lichens and buds of trees.

The chief commercial significance of the chamois has always been its skin for the production
of 'shammy' leather, used for various purposes including, most familiarly, putting the final
touches to the ritual weekend cleaning of the family car. Along with other species of chamois it
was, as a result, hunted almost to extinction, especially in the 1940s and again in the 1960s.

The crisis was recognized and in 1996 it was assessed as 'endangered' and strict protection
measures and a programme of captive breeding and reintroductions were embarked upon and
were so successful that from 1990 the population in the Pyrenees increased markedly up to
2003. In 1989 the total number was estimated to be 15,500 and by 2003 this was estimated
to have grown to at least 53,000 – a fairly spectacular increase, given that compared with
other ungulates it has a low growth rate. It has a natural life expectancy of 20 years but the
mortality rate is high for animals older than 11 years. Although the only natural predators are
the brown bear and the golden eagle, which do not substantially affect numbers, there was a
decline in local populations in the Catalan Pyrenees between 2004 and 2006 following severe
mortality caused by two outbreaks of the viral diseases 'Pestivirus' and 'Queratoconjuvitis'. As
a consequence disease is now seen as the most important threat and has led to the suspension
of hunting in affected areas. Overall, the status of the chamois is now assessed as being 'of
Least Concern' in terms of the accepted criteria but nevertheless requiring ongoing conservation
measures to ensure its future survival.

In Spain as a whole, chamois occur in three National Parks, at least 10 natural parks and a
number of other reserves (not only in the Pyrenees) and in France in a number of protected
areas. In Spain and the Pyrenees generally, the chamois co-exist with domestic livestock and
no problems appear to arise from competition for food resources – indeed the presence of
domestic livestock is considered to benefit the chamois by maintaining young and good quality
forage which increases the carrying capacity of the territory. In France, however, competition
with livestock appears to be a limiting factor on population growth.

Other than within National Parks, the chamois populations are hunted, being a major game
species in Spain and of importance socially and economically as a source of rural livelihoods,
but hunting is carefully managed and revenue is returned to local communities. Hunting quotas
in Spain are set by regional governments and hunting is considered to be at a sustainable level.
In France, hunting is essentially a recreational and non-profit leisure activity with annual quotas
generally accounting for less than 10% of populations, which is also regarded as sustainable.

In the circumstances, Lions are kindly requested to refrain from slaying chamois on sight,
regardless of how short of rations they may be when trekking in the upper reaches.

British Pyrenean Mountaineers of the 19th and 20th Centuries

By Neil Bogle


Whilst today's famous Lions of the Pyrenees led by the legendary Antonio Irastorza are
unquestionably the best-known and most intrepid explorers of the region, it must be
acknowledged that there have been other notable figures in the past. This extensive range of
challenging terrain on both the French and the Spanish sides was of particular interest to British
explorers and mountaineers in the 19th and the early 20th centuries. The Alpine Club had been
formed in London in 1857 and sparked an explosion of enthusiasm for adventuring, not only in
the Alps themselves but also concurrently in the Pyrenees, and beyond, by a variety of British
sportsman, poets, authors, botanists, biologists and others.

The most celebrated, and certainly the most eccentric, was Henry Russell (more formally Henry
Patrick Marie, Count Russell-Killough), the son of an Irish father and a French mother. After a
great deal of adventuring over a hectic three-year period to many far-flung parts of the globe
he settled down in 1861 to devote the remainder of his life to the Pyrenees, making numerous
first ascents, many on his own. This interest had first been kindled, it seems, in 1858 when at
the age of 24 he climbed Pic de Néouvielle on the French side, then the Ardiden, followed by
three ascents of Monte Perdido. He became especially known for his ascents (33 in total) of
the Vignemale which he fell in love with - to the point where he referred to it as his 'wife'. He
requested from the prefect of the Hautes-Pyrénées, and was granted, a concession over some
200 hectares of the mountain between 2,300m and 3,300m in altitude at a rent of 1 franc per
annum for a term of 99 years. He thereafter styled himself as the 'Comte des Monts'. Over
time he cut no fewer than seven substantial caves into the solid rock of the mountain at various
levels and used to stay in them and hold sumptuous and banquets there with princes and
other notables as guests. He referred to these caves as his seven 'children' and celebrated
his 'silver wedding' (i.e. 60 years from his first ascent) in his last-built cave, Le Paradis, located
18 metres below the summit. The Pic Russell in the Maladeta massif is named after him. For
those who are interested, more details are to be found in a book entitled 'The Man who married
a Mountain' by Rosemary Bailey.

Noted contemporaries and climbing companions of Henry Russell who eulogized the Pyrenees
for the multifarious joys they offer were Charles Packe, a lawyer and great 19th century explorer
who climbed every mountain in the Pyrenees and published in 1867 'A Guide to the Pyrenees',
and Farnham Maxwell-Lyte, a chemical and mining engineer and the pioneer of a number of
techniques in photographic processing who is known for his views of the French Pyrenees in
particular. Other notables of the time were Douglas Freshfield, a famous climber of the day
(and a scion of the family that founded the eponymous London-based law firm), Edward Harold
Spender, a novelist and journalist and father of the poet Stephen Spender, ('Through the High
Pyrenees' (1898)), the writer and historian Hilaire Belloc ('The Pyrenees' (1909)), the poet
Alfred, Lord Tennyson, and the philosopher John Stuart Mill (who asserted that his ascent of the
Pic du Midi had 'changed my life').

Another celebrated figure was Richard Spruce, one of the great botanical explorers of the age
who, before going on to greater things scientifically, conducted a collecting trip in the Pyrenees
in 1845-6. He recorded that 'My delicate health and retiring disposition have combined with my
love of botanical pursuits to render me fond of solitary study and I must confess that I feel a sort
of shrinking at the idea of engaging in the turmoil of active life.'. Collecting in the Pyrenees must
have been something of a hardship to him (and the last-mentioned sentiment is one that certain
of the more elderly Lions can sympathize with!).

One of the best-known and most prolific 20th century writers on mountaineering themes was
Showell Styles (1908 - 2005) the Welsh author, mountaineer and explorer who published over
160 books, many about climbing in various regions, including 'Backpacking in the Alps and the
Pyrenees'.

These fascinating figures are but a small selection and many others can be read about in such
publications as Rosemary Bailey's book referenced above, her latest book 'Love and War in the
Pyrenees' and 'Mountaineering in the Pyrenees – a Collection of Historical Climbing Articles'
published by the Wellhausen Press.