THE LIONS OF THE PYRENEES NATURE GUIDE

CHAPTER 3
TREES OF THE PYRENEES

By Daniel Arenas (Ornithologist and Nature Correspondent)

Over 100 species of trees and shrubs are found in Pyrenean forests. Each species grows on slopes with different characteristics: altitude, exposure, type of soil, rainfall or cloud cover.

Beech; Fagus sylvatica

   
The Beech grows at mountain level, between about 800 and 1,800 m in humid conditions with condensation forming thick fog, drizzle or rain. Though not fussy about the soil, beech trees can be badly affected by late frosts, which destroy tender young leaves and blooms. 
Where trees are tightly packed, few other species grow in the humus.

 Silver fir; Abies pectinata

The silver fir is often found among beech trees where it can be spotted by its tall, dark silhouette. It is also found growing in 100% fir forests, especially in shady spots near the top of the mountain level (around 1,800 m). Another tree that will grow in different types of soil, silver firs form a shady, silent cover for undergrowth.

Scots pine; Pinus sylvestris

At the same height as the silver fir but preferring south-facing slopes sheltered from wind, rain and lasting snow, you will find Scots pine. Its blue-green foliage and the scaly bark which glows red near the top filter the light, providing good lighting conditions for flora similar to neighbouring heath and grassland.

Hooked pine; Pinus uncinata

The hooked pine takes over on higher slopes, where conditions are harsher. It is found from the uppermost parts of the mountain level and particularly at subalpine level between 1,800 and 2,300 m. As hooked pine woods are not normally very dense, there is plenty of room for other plants to grow.

The Somontano Wine Region

The Somontano Wine Region

By Joelo Delgado

The region of Aragon is blessed with lush landscapes supporting vast pastures of livestock, forests with a healthy population of game; where truffle mushrooms grow. Several rivers snake through the landscape watering the grasses and trees; the river Ebro in fact, Spain’s largest river in volume, cuts through the province from west to east.

In this province, lying in the northeastern region of Spain, in the province of Huesca, is the region of Somontano. It lies nestled at the foothills of the majestic Pyrenees and stretches to the valley of Ebro. Just as it’s name would suggest (latin in origin) Somontano – at the foot of the mountain - is protected by the Pyrenees mountain range from the north.

Geographically Somontano boasts one of the best winemaking climates; with the Pyrenees providing a buffer from cold winds from the north, the continental climate providing ample sunlight for the grapes, and the sandy-clay soil – although not the most fertile – offers deep penetration for the roots of the vines to extract more moisture and nutrients. Summers in Somontano are hot and dry, and can get to a scorching 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius). Wintry months can see temperatures dipping as low as 15 degrees Fahrenheit (-10 degrees Celsius), and the region also experiences it’s fair share of rain (20in annually). The region experiences balanced exposure to all the elements.

Consequently Somontano wines, generally speaking are very balanced, the modern wine drinker would be eased into a harmonious blend of fruity, acidity, round, experience; largely caused by the region’s trifecta; altitude, climate, and soil.

Although Somontano has been making wines since the Romans started planting grapes in the 2^nd century, it was only in the 80s, when the region was awarded a D.O.  (Denominacion Origen) that Somontano became known for its innovative and modern approach to winemaking. Its 33 wineries[1] and some 500 private ones, occupy more than 4,500 hectares of grape country in this region.

Local grape varietals to watch out for are moristel and parraleta, but most especially Alcañon a Somontano white varietal, almost wiped out of existence as it started to lose popularity. Local wineries are now starting to propagate Alcañon again.

The wines are not the only stars, Somontano is not bereft of other attractions. Perhaps most historically important; The River Vero Cultural Park, houses over 60 cave paintings, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The city of Barbastro, the Torreciudad Shrine, and medieval village of Alquezar are some of the top recommended tourist spots.

Somontano is an enchanting region offering excellent, well-balanced wines; excellent cuisine with game, lamb and fresh fishes; beautiful ancient medieval villages and cities. How your experience will pan out it all depends on you.

[1] Four best bodegas: Bodegas Somontano, Bodegas Pirineos, Enate, Vinas del Vero

Memories of a Much Loved Mayor

Memories of a Much Loved Mayor

By Alastair Caisley
Our (Usually) Diplomatic Correspondent

Many of you will now that Joaquin Paricio, the long-standing Mayor or El Grado and

great friend of The Lions, died in March after a courageous six-year struggle against cancer.


This article is a short personal reflection on his involvement with The Lions.


I first met the Mayor on what, unbeknown to Antonio and I, was our very first Lions’

Trip in 2001. Having had a long drive from Bilbao (a route not to be recommended),

we arrived late in El Grado. However, its never too late to eat in Spain! Our meal

was at Las Acacias and it was there that we first met Joaquin Paricio, who warmly

greeted our little group of three. After a brief introduction, things came to an abrupt

end with the announcement that a wild boar had come off second best with a car on

the outskirts of the village. People left the restaurant at a speed only comparable to

Antonio’s legendary raging bull run in Pamplona (you will be pleased to hear that this

is no longer one of The Lions’ activities).


Our get togethers with the Mayor then became a regular feature of The Lions’ trips. It

wasn’t long before we learned that Joaquin Paricio had taken himself off to New York

to negotiate a sizeable loan to build the electricity plant/fish farm on the River Cinca.

Siberian Sturgeon:

Not content with that, we then discovered that he was also instrumental in establishing

the World Ludo Championships in El Grado. For those of us who were there at El

Poblado a few years ago, who can forget his very amusing description of the range of

participants, the strict rules and very modest prizes? Many of the competitors were

probably blissfully unaware that even some local prisoners took part in the event!

Always a generous, friendly and hospitable man, many Lions were privileged to hear

him speak so movingly about his liver transplant. It was so emotional that the Lions’

tradition of keeping a stiff upper lip soon disappeared, as a few of us tried to hide the

odd tear. The bond of friendship between the Lions and the Mayor grew stronger

every year. Even a language barrier did not stop him sharing genuine pleasure at

meeting us again. There was a memorable presentation to Joaquin Paricio in his

office with accompanying photographs three years ago and presented him with his

Honorary Lion Certificate, something which he accepted proudly.


It was therefore with great sadness that I heard of his recent death. The Lions will

miss a true friend. Even last year, his generosity was shown when he delivered

a dozen bottles of the excellent Enate wine.

He will also be missed by his local

community, who he served so faithfully for many years. Over a thousand people

attended his funeral at Torrecuidad ~ a tribute to his popularity.


Our parting, for those who believe, is but temporary. As we enjoy (or for some

“endure”!) this year’s activities, please think of Joaquin Paricio and his smiling face

looking down on our modest efforts and endeavours.

Do Lions need energy bars?

Do Lions need energy bars?

Fr Bernard (with tongue in cheek!)

Since our last expedition the cycling world has been turned upside-down. We’ve had a
couple of Brits performing exceptionally well in the Tour de France – remarkable, as I thought we
specialised at being good losers (or proclaiming ourselves winners during the preliminary rounds
and failing miserably as the final approaches). The other revolution on 2-wheels has been the
Armstrong affair: years of strongly defended victories eventually (and reluctantly) admitted to be
based on pharmaceutical prowess.

How does this affect us? As Lions (being kings of the jungle) we do not compete with one
another – as Antonio keeps reminding us. Our adventures emphasise teamwork. We have no heats
or finals; success and failure are irrelevant. We only celebrate (and look forward to?) survival.
There is no individual title to defend or prize to win.

Wonderful! Let the world of professional cycling go its way: we Lions remain above those
twisted ways. At least that’s what I thought – till my eyes were opened by reading “Racing through
the dark. The fall and rise of David Millar”. Wow! How naïve I was: forgetful of the ever-present
risk we run.

In this book Millar describes his professional cycling career up to the present. A true Brit:
not outstanding – but a good domestique for the bigger names and with sufficient shine to engender
hopes that he might someday come to be a great champion. However, as his career develops we
learn how things start going wrong. It is a tale revealing more about human nature than about the
drugs business itself.

So, Lions beware! At least any Lion admitting a share in human nature.

Why beware?

Our Dave tells us how as a young professional he knew nothing of drugs. Only gradually does
he wake up to the truth that some of his heroes have a little supplement with their porridge… and
that at the higher levels of the game there is a marked laisser faire and “head in the sand” attitude
towards getting a bit (or even a lot) of unusual assistance from modern medical science. The more
his eyes are opened, the more he rejects that path: he is going to prove them all wrong – and like a
good Scot will have nothing more than salt and water with his porridge. This is when his weakness
is uncovered – his price is met. His bosses need more wins – otherwise they will lose sponsors. And
he needs to please his bosses – otherwise he’ll have to go to art school afterall. That was his fall-
back option if things didn’t work out with his cycling dream.

And his weakness? The achilles heel we all share. Yes, good old human nature. No more,
no less. Not the idealised humanity of dreams, but the real thing – with all its limitations. It’s not
always easy to see where those limits might be. We know that on January 1st each year the email
from Antonio will arrive: sign up and reach for the sky! Then the regular encouragement to do
better: prepare well, train hard, etc. Good old Lions! Where would we be without that relentless
stimulus to do better? And helped by truly remarkable leonine camaraderie I’m sure all of us have
been surprised by what we can in fact achieve. But, beware: that New Year message could be our
undoing.

The “preparation” that tends to the obsessive. Neglecting the family stroll in the park
because it’s too gentle … This is where we can meet our Millar moment. Losing our balance under
pressure. Yes, even the desire to improve can lead to harm. We must ask ourselves: Am I constantly
conscious of my finitude? Do I remind myself that I carry within me a burden of frailty? We speak
of a pride of lions – but we must fear like the plague the pride of lions!

A sobering thought. Keep fit. Train within reason: family, profession and other things come
first. Learn humility. Let’s share the Pyrenean experience together. But let’s not, whatever we do,
allow the physical ambitions to take over! That’s the culture of drugs – the hubris of self.

NATURE GUIDE - CHAPTER 2

THE LIONS OF THE PYRENEES NATURE GUIDE - CHAPTER 2
"FAUNA OF THE PYRENEES"

By Daniel Arenas (Ornithologist and Nature Correspondent)

Wildlife of the Pyrenees

Due to their relative isolation and lack of human habitation the Pyrenees are home

to a huge variety of wildlife, with many native species unique to the Pyrenees.

The Pyrenees are one of the few places to find the Pyrenean Desman (Galemys

pyrenaicus), Pyrenean Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica) and Pyrenean Brown

Bear(Ursus arctos).

Mammals of the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees are home to a variety of mammals, with many native species unique to

the Pyrenees. The Pyrenees are home to the Pyrenean Desman (Galemys pyrenaicus),

Pyrenean Chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica) and Pyrenean Brown Bear (Ursus

arctos).

The best way to spot these animals in the mountains is on one of ourwalking holidays.

Although your chances of seeing a bear or desman are very small, we often spot isard

up on the steep mountain slopes, and Marmot and Griffon vultures are a common

sight in the cirque de Troumouse on our Explorer walks. As part of your guided

MountainBug holiday, your guide will show you as much as they can of the local

wildlife, sharing their passion for the Pyrenees.

Below are brief descriptions of some of the mammals to be found in the Pyrenees. We

are gradually building up a library of descriptions and photographs, but currently this

list is not extensive.

Pyrenean Chamois, Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica, or “isard”

The isard is the Pyrenees’ emblem. You may see it on signs to denote national park

boundaries (a red isard’s head on a white background).

Alpine Marmot, Marmota marmot

The Marmot disappeared from the Pyrenees after the last glacial era, but they’ve now

been successfully reintroduced.

Brown Bear, Ursus arctos

The Pyrenean bear is the smallest of the brown bear family, with adult males weighing

120 to 200kg, and females 80 to 100kg. They live between 800 and 2400m. They

have a beige to dark cinnamon-coloured coat, and hibernate between December and

March-April.

Wild Boar, Sus scrofa

There are many species of wild boar world wide. Here in the Pyrenees we have

Common wild boar Sus scrofa scrofa. This is the most common and widespread

subspecies, with its original distribution range from France to European Russia. It has

recently been introduced in Sweden, Norway, the USA and Canada.

Pine Marten, Martes martes

These attractive, arboreal animals, belonging to the same family as Polecats, Stoats

and Otters, are found up to the tree line in coniferous and mixed woodlands all over

the Pyrenees.