Dear brave Lions of the Pyrenees,
The date of our departure is coming closer. It is a pleasure for me to write a few lines of encouragement to this group of friends that faithfully since the year 2000 return to the Pyrenees to enjoy a few days of adventure, endurance and camaraderie.
For outsiders, we may be a little crazy, but we know that we all benefit for a few days away from our normal professional, family and social duties, whilst we carry out what some consider extreme sports (rafting, canyoning, trekking and mountain biking) in the impressive environment of the Pyrenees. It is easy in those days to share with the others our experiences and to help each other in a very natural way. It is also easy to give thanks to God, for all we have received during the previous twelve months and having the opportunity to return to these mountains and forests surrounded by this group of friends that we call ourselves with the grandiose name of the “Lions of thePyrenees”.
As you all know, the idea of this days is not only to push our bodies to the extreme, but more to help the others to have a good time, and to return to our homes with the resolution to help more at our homes, places of work and society. That is why this group of brothers in arms returns year after year to this extraordinary experience. We know that our purpose is to go back home, and to show that we are struggling to be better persons with the help of God and our families.
To all of you and your families, I send my best regards and hope to greet you personally at the foothills of the Pyrenees on the 16 May,
Ave Caesar, muriturus te salutam,
Sir Anthony Irastorza
A lion of the Pyrenees