Antonio's Message.

Dear veteran Lions and aspiring Lions,

It is with pleasure that I write these lines for the first issue of this year’s LIONS TIMES, so here I am again. When this time comes it appears that things have been moving pretty fast over the last twelve months, and we are about to embark into another enjoyable Expedition to the Pyrenees.

As the other Founding Lion, Alastair Caisley, would say, every year it is different, and with the experience gained each year the last one appears to be the most enjoyable so far. Even if we have been thirteen times in these Annual Expeditions, we try to go to different places so I am sure that by now some of the veteran Lions could be employed as rangers of the local national parks.

But as you all know, we go away for a few days, not to escape from reality, but to recharge the batteries and to return to work or home with new optimism and enthusiasm; knowing that the days of the Expedition are days of camaraderie, effort and challenges; where we also give thanks to God for the many benefits received during the previous twelve months. We do not talk much about sports, as you all know fitness is to be expected, so keep up your regular exercise and as weeks come closer do train a little more; but no need to do extraordinary things; I say this as I have just learnt that one of our Lions has gone to run a marathon this weekend  (we are all with you Joelo Delgado).

Do keep up the encouragement and keenness during the remaining 8 weeks to go. Also do try to help or contribute if you are asked to do something for the Lions Expedition; one of these things are short contributions that no doubt Scott Fertig and Diego Barroso will ask you for the LIONS TIMES (if you do not know what it is just look at our website – the details were included in the initial letter that I sent you back in January; and there you can read previous years contributions and ideas)

I finish these words as we regularly do: Forward men, we are nearly there: “Ave Caesar, morituri te salutant”,

Sir Anthony Irastorza

A lion of the Pyrenees

Letter from Antonio - 2012 Lions Intro

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

Walking around the Area...

Dear Lions, 

The other day I had the opportunity to explore the Aragon Pyrenees area, visiting a very small town called El Tormillo. It’s a typically farmer town which you would never know about it if you are not invited by one of the 20 residents in this town, or... by one of his daughters, in this case my friend Ana invited me, so I took my two little cousins and went for this adventure! (sorry, not pics from Ana, but she is so cute!...). I want to share the pictures and such a nice views with you, as very soon we will all be here surrounded with this amazing landscapes. 

This is not El Tormillo anymore, but the Alquezar, an old town in the area  with many interesting things to see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alqu%C3%A9zar
On the top of the mountain you can see the Colegiata de Alquezar, a cathedral built in 1099, we are now walking to the top so I can make a picture from there and post it here:

This is the view from the top of the Colegiata de Alquézar of Santa Maria (1099)

We also had time to go to el Salto de Bierge, you can jump from there and its a good fun, but to be honest I didn't do it this time, water was not cold enough for a Lion, so I will come back in winter... 

 And this is a view from Torreciudad, with the snow mountains at the end... I hope you enjoyed it and I am looking forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks!! All the best,
Diego
GGRRRRRRR!!

Guido's ideas to train at home.

Dear Antonio,


I am glad to hear of your training in Wales. Unfortunately we do not have the snow in the Philippines. So I have, as usual, used my window from the second floor as my practice place for rappelling. Of course my neighbors find it strange..but who cares about those weaklings?

I am sorry i cannot join you this year, but I will surely be inLondon in November. I am sure I will be fit for 2013!

All the best!

Guido

Dear fellow Lions,

I didn’t want to miss the opportunity of sending a short motivational story towards these wonderful days you have ahead.

Last year I had the chance to attend a conference

given by Nando Parrado (a survivor of the Andes 1972 plane crash) in London. The conference was very special and moving.

Fernando "Nando" Seler Parrado Dolgay (born December 9, 1949) is one of the sixteen Uruguayan survivors of the airplane crash of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 which crashed in the Andes mountains on October 13, 1972 (they were university students flying to Chile on a Rugby tour).

After spending two months trapped in the mountains with the other crash survivors

(and having eaten human flesh to keep themselves alive), he, along with Roberto Canessa, led the adventurous rescue team and climbed through the Andes mountains over a ten day period to finally find help. His efforts, supported in various ways by the entire group, have been recognized through books an

d other media. He was portrayed by Ethan Hawke in the 1993 feature film Alive: Miracle in The Andes.

Nando lost his mother and his sister in the crash.

In 2006 Nando published book, Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home. In addition to his current work in business and television, Parrado is a motivational speaker, using his experience in the Andes to help others cope with psychological trauma. He is married and has two sisters.

Citing Nando in one of the letters he wrote after the crash:

“…Before the crash my mind was filled with my studies in business administration, but as soon as I came back I found that I had to exchange my studies for everyday work. Our family business organization had nearly been destroyed, since my mother had taken care of half the work. When you are young, you feel immortal. There is nothing that can modify or destroy you. Through our painful experience I learned that life is linked to death, that these are the only realities of our existence. You are born and you will die someday… In between, nobody knows. There are some things I have thought deeply about over the years, my thoughts influenced by the Andes experience. I am sure it is the same for the other survivors. These things are: FAMILY, CONFIDENCE and FRIENDSHIP.

Dear Lions, I would like to point out that these three points are totally related to our experience in the Pyrenees; we leave our family for 5 days, we have the confidence that we will survive and have a great time, and most importantly, we will make a lot of friends, having an experience of camaraderie and creating a bond that will keep us connected forever. Referring to the specific point of FRIENDSHIP, Nando comments the following:

“…Finally there is the value of FRIENDSHIP, of our feeling of affection and love. It was deeply moving to see young boys helping their friends in ways they could not have imagined, even risking and giving their lives for each other. Friendship was a major factor in our chances to survive and, after we managed to rescue ourselves, we made our friendship with each other an important part of our lives. Sometimes I ask myself why people need to experience extreme situations to understand the real values of life. These values are so clear and so near us, yet we rush by them looking for the “important” things…”

I have some personal commitments that imply I will be missing the Lions 2011. I will be looking forward to the Lions 2012, hopefully with many of you. I will have you in mind in my prayers. God will be with your “silent Partner” during the toughest moments of the expedition.

All the best!

Matias Dorr Mansilla

A lion of the Pyrenees