Antonio's 2014 Introduction

Dear Lions,

It is with great pleasure that I write these lines. In exactly two weeks time we will be in the middle of a

Pyrenees canyon hanging on ropes or swimming in freezing waters trying to take in all the beautiful landscape as we fight against the cold and we keep an eye on the cliffs. But as veteran Lions know, the team will always be caring for us, as the mutual help, camaraderie and friendship of the “Lions of the Pyrenees” is renowned. Certainly everyone is expected to be in a fit condition, but no one is alone, and no one will be left behind. That is one of the mottos of the Lions!

It is incredible to realize that we face another Lions May Expedition and that we have been doing this since the year 2000. We know reasonably well the various rivers, mountains, forests and valleys of the Central Pyrenees region. We go there not only to try our physical prowess, but to share with our friends another year of a challenging few days together. We will overcome some difficult situations together, certainly with the great help of Fyrky (commonly known to some of us as ‘Freaky’) and the other two professional mountain guides. But we will principally not only enjoy the sporting challenge, nature and the local wild life; but we will also have the opportunity of catching with the other Lions, coming from different countries. That we can meet every May and November, either in the wilds of the Pyrenees or in the rooms of the Oriental Club in London for the traditional Lions Annual Dinner, are two occasions that we all look forward to on our calendars.

As always, some of our friends, other Lions can not join due to injuries, health or other problems; even if that is the case, we will be representing them on this Expedition. This year it appears we will be a large group of around 25 people between Lions and mountain guides; but with the contribution of each Lion we will create a unique adventurous atmosphere.

As always, our families will be very present, and we will remember them during the Expedition. As always, I promise to all of you, that we will bring you back, like the Marines.

Ave Caesar, Murituri te Salutant!

Sir Anthony Irastorza

1 May 2014

Convert to Islam, Die or Pay Taxes

By Alexander Turcan

The Moors were the medieval Muslim inhabitants of the Maghreb, Iberian Peninsula, Sicily and Malta. Their descendants are presently known as the Maghrebis. The Moors invaded the Iberian Peninsula in 711 and called the territory Al-Andalus, an area which at different times comprised Gibraltar, most of Spain and Portugal, and parts of Southern France.

The Lions Expedition takes place on the historic Al-Andalus territory.

While reading about the Moors invasion of Spain, I have stumbled across an interesting fact: apparently, the Moors have established a specific tax called the jizya that non-Moors (Dhimmis) had to pay to receive benefits. Having its origin in the Qur'an, it states Dhimmis who did not pay this tax, should either convert to Islam, or face the death penalty (Qur'an 9, 29). This tax, higher than the tax Muslims had to pay, was in several occasions one of the most important sources of income for the Moors kingdom. The jizya was not only a tax, but also a symbolic expression of subordination.

Surviving in a Cave

Surviving in a Cave. Sourced by Alexander Turcan

http://www.wikihow.com/Survive-in-a-Cave

Enter a cave well-prepared. Caving is inherently dangerous, but you can reduce the risk by learning proper caving techniques, bringing the right equipment, and knowing how to use your techniques. Especially if you’re new to caving, don’t go in without an experienced guide, and never explore caves alone. Always make sure you notify someone where you will be and when you expect to return so that they can notify rescuers if you can’t. Bring warm, NON-COTTON (like polypro or polyester) clothes and a plastic bag or emergency blanket. It is important that all layers of clothes are made of a synthetic fabric, even undergarments and socks. Cotton absorbs and holds much more water than synthetic fibers. Wearing standard cotton garments in a cave will cool your body very rapidly. If cotton layers are worn (as an absolute last resort) make sure they are above the synthetic layers. Doing the opposite will rob your body of heat, as the most wet layer will be in direct contact with the skin. Also, make sure your flashlight or headlamp is in good working condition (and bring a spare light source and batteries). The best way to survive in a cave is to know the cave and to be prepared.

Mark your path. Caves can be maze like and confusing, but there’s almost no reason to get lost in one. Always be aware of your surroundings, and note landmarks. In addition, be sure to mark the way out at all intersections. Use rocks to make an arrow pointing the way you came, scratch an arrow on the cave floor, leave yourself notes, or tie ribbons or leave glow sticks to show you the way back. Make sure you can differentiate your marks from those that other cavers may have left. Not only will marking your path help lead you out safely, it will also help rescuers find you if you can’t get out on your own.

Remain calm. If you do find yourself lost, injured, or trapped don’t panic. Assess your situation and think clearly about how to get out.

Stay together if you’re in a group. There is safety in numbers, so be sure to stay together. Hold hands if you must move in darkness, and don’t let anybody fall behind.

Stay warm and dry. Caves are frequently cold, and hypothermia is one of the most dangerous hazards you will face. Always bring warm, non-cotton clothes, and pack a large plastic bag in your helmet to wear as a poncho to conserve warmth. Keep your helmet on at all times. If you have to endeavor into water (i.e. if the cave is flooded, or if you must cross a stream) take off your clothes to keep them dry, and then dry off and put them back on when you’re out of the water. If your clothes get wet and you don’t have replacements, wring them out thoroughly and wear them so your body heat can dry them. Huddle with your group for warmth, and minimize contact with the cold ground. Try to keep moving (even if it’s just moving in place) if you get too cold, but avoid breaking a sweat.

Ration your food and water supplies. If you told somebody on the outside when to expect you—and you absolutely must do this—help should be on its way soon. If for some reason, such as flooding or cave collapse—it may take a while for rescuers to come, make sure to ration your food and make it last. Make sure everybody gets enough water, but don’t try to save it as long as possible—keep well hydrated even if you’re not thirsty. If you run out of water, you can drink water you find in the cave, but be aware that it may be contaminated and should only be used as a last resort.

Conserve your light. Turn off flashlights when you are not moving, and use only one at a time. Form a chain of people following one with a flashlight. If you're using a headlamp, use the lowest output setting.

Stay put if you don’t have light. Unless you are quite certain that help will not be coming, do not move without light. A cave is a dangerous, unpredictable environment, and the risk of injury outweighs all other hazards. If you must move without light, proceed with extreme caution. Crawling may be the best option to avoid falls.

Tips

• If you are deep in cave, try to feel where air is flowing and follow it to the source. There are usually multiple ways out from a cave.
• In the absence of a draft, smoke always rises. You can try to light up something small that creates smoke and try to follow it. Remember that smoke is dangerous in narrow areas as you may be choked because of it. You also need to make sure that you can control whatever you’re burning.
• Mobile phones, watches, and other such devices may be used to provide backup light.
• Always have a flashlight as you enter the cave. And always have a backup flashlight or batteries in case the first flashlight runs out of power.
• Go with at least 4 people so if one person gets hurt – one can stay with him, and two can get help.
• Always put cell phone, lighter, and matches in a ziplock bag to keep them dry.
• If you are in a cave near water, be sure to note the times of high and low tide so that you will not be drowned.
• If you’re traveling in a group, have the largest person go in the middle. That way people on both ends can help extricate the person should he or she get stuck in a tight spot.
• Be sure and watch the weather. A 15 minute rain downpour can drown you. Remember, caves are mainly carved by water.
• If moving in a group, keep a little distance as long as you can see each other. Just a few feet between people can help prevent injuries to multiple people if one person should stumble or if part of the cave falls. 
• When making ascents, only one person should climb at a time, and the others should stay clear of the area below the climber, where rocks (or the climber) may fall and injure them.

Warnings

• Avoid making vertical ascents over rock that is wet, as this will be particularly susceptible to collapse.
• Beware of the water in a cave, especially during flooding. It can be difficult to ascertain the depth of the water, and there may be a hidden current.
• Do not drink cave water with a strong odor or which you know to be contaminated.
• Look out for sharp stones and slippery rock while moving about in a cave.
• There are quite a lot of sheer drops in caves that would kill a person was he to fall through them. When walking without light, always, Always, ALWAYS check the area around and at the place you are about to walk to.
• Do not attempt to move a badly injured person. Keep the victim immobilized and warm and get the assistance of experienced cave rescuers to extricate him.

Survival tips: Water (Infographic)

Water is very important. You can survive three weeks without food, but only three days without water.

Remember! Fish, mosquitoes, algae, etc. can not – and do not – live in poisonous water. Given the choice between two still ponds in the wild, one with mosquitoes, or algae growing in it – and another nearby it, which may be seemingly clear – experienced survivors would prefer to drink the water that has the organic life growing in it. The other standing water, even though it appears clear – is obviously unusable or undesirable to other living organisms and therefore it may be poisonous.

By Alexander Turcan

Weather in the Pyrenees

Weather in the Pyrenees

By Alexander.Turcan@TurcanLaw.md (April 2013)

“The West is wet, and the East is much dryer.”

The Pyrenees Mountains form the natural border between France and Spain, and completely engulf the tiny nation of Andorra.

The mountains extend for about 440 kilometers (270 miles) from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea.  

The highest point is Pico de Aneto at 3,404 meters (11,168 ft.)

The Crown of Aragon and the Kingdom of Navarre have historically extended on both sides of the mountain range, with small northern portions now in France and much larger southern parts now in Spain.

Legend

The mountains are named after a mythological princess – Pyrene.  Apparently Pyrene was raped by Hercules, who has abused of her father’s hospitality.  As a consequence, Pyrene gave birth to a serpent and, afraid of her father’s rage, run away in the woods, where she was torn apart by wild beasts.  After learning of Pyrene’s fate, Hercules was seized by profound grief and remorse.  He laid Pyrene to rest tenderly, demanding that the surrounding geography join in mourning and preserve her name: “struck by Herculean voice, the mountaintops shudder at the ridges; he kept crying out with a sorrowful noise 'Pyrene!' and all the rock-cliffs and wild-beast haunts echo back 'Pyrene!' … The mountains hold on to the wept-over name through the ages.”

Climate

The amount of precipitation the range receives, including rain and snow, is much greater in the western than in the eastern Pyrenees, because of the moist air that blows in from the Atlantic Ocean over the Bay of Biscay.  After dropping its moisture over the western and central Pyrenees, the air is usually dry over the eastern Pyrenees.  

The winter average temperature is -2°C (28.4°F).  

Sections of the mountain range vary in more than one respect. Some glaciers are found in the western and especially the snowy central Pyrenees, but the eastern Pyrenees are without any glaciers – with the quantity of snow falling there being insufficient to cause their development.  

The snow-line varies in different parts of the Pyrenees from about 2,700 to 2,800 meters above sea level.  

The weather varies considerably across the Pyrenees.

The general rule is that the West is wet, and the East is much dryer.  Furthermore, the Spanish side of the Pyrenees is considerably warmer than the French. As a consequence, plant and animal life change almost as soon as you cross the border.

The French side has lush wooded forests of beech and oak, whereas the Spanish side is sparsely planted with low vegetation and dotted with pine trees. The desolate but beautiful nature of the Spanish Pyrenees is in part due to the destruction of olive groves several decades ago.

The climate year-round is that of temperate mountain regions.  Short bursts of heavy rainfall can be expected in April and May, and stable periods of high pressure between September and November give clear blue skies. During the height of summer (especially August), short violent thunderstorms are a regular occurrence during mid-afternoon. Occasionally, the onset of winter is heralded by a cold-snap at the start of November.  However, any snow usually melts away below about 1,000 m altitude.  

Winter conditions are to be generally expected between January and March.

Weather in May

The most beautiful month of May is possibly also the rainiest month in the Pyrenees.  While hoping for sun and for T-shirt & shorts weather, at the same time we need to be prepared for rain, and for temperatures below zero.