I think as we grow older life pushes us, as those objects that the waves always insist on returning to shore, to the stage where once ignited the imagination of our childhood. The Rolando Gap, a stone wall straddling Spain and France split in two by a freak of nature, is one of those places steeped in myths mountaineers where a child can effortlessly smell the smell of adventure.
Legend has it that the famous knight Roland, nephew Charlemagne, arrived here fleeing from the defeat of Roncesvalles heading to France. Exhausted and pursued by the enemy, wounded reached the valley of Ordesa, a step away from their goal. Surrounded by victorious troops and feeling faint, Durandarte threw his sword against the mountain in a last effort, so vigorously that split the huge mass of stone. So the last time he saw his land across which, from that day, Gap was baptized as Roland. Can you imagine a greater claim to a boy of just eleven?
The stone wall, halfway between Spain and France and split in two by a freak of nature, is one of those places steeped in myths mountaineers
On that occasion, many years ago I did not even count amuse, I went with my father to the Gap from the shelter of Goriz and after making a stop at the Casteret Caves, the beautiful ice caves in the bowels of the bulk of Marboré. This time would climb from Bujaruelo, a secluded valley adjacent to the Ordesa National Park, Gap and Roland would reach from the same French lands whose vision subsided the last breath of legendary Frankish knight. Our intention was, also, top off the day by the Taillón, the three thousand that overlooks the Circus Gavarnie and Marboré massif from the bow Ordesa Valley.
A three thousand forces always up early. This time, also. At six o'clock we are in the car in the direction of Torla for the great road between Sabiñánigo and Fiscal, that prevents swaying curves Cotefablo, habitual stomach ailments prelude. For years, is mandatory, in high season, Bus up the section between Torla and Ordesa, but those restrictions do not affect private vehicles Bujaruelo, where it is possible to drive.
Roland Legend, fencing and feeling faint, Durandarte threw his sword against the mountain with such force that split the stone mass
From the campsite started to walk, after crossing a beautiful stone bridge, at seven-thirty. The road does not deceive. Start saving slope continuously since the first meters. Initially, through a wooded area at this time that enters gloomy ravine Lapazosa to the plains of the same name, a break for the legs before tackling the last slope (that runs down the left but other direct route makes its way through the rocks on the opposite side) until Gavarnie port (2.257 meters), where after two hours walk on French soil.
First disappointment. Here dies a track located just ten minutes walk from parking Gallo, which considerably shortens the journey for those facing the climb from the French side, that is a few. After the effort, the mere sight of the cars in the distance and draws in us grimace.
So perfect is the rock cut on both ends seem ready to close at any time as a biblical punishment
After regain strength, continue towards the French retreat or Gap Sarradets. The path now gives some respite but just before reaching the stone building have to cross a water nourished Torrontera where better not hesitate much once chosen the right step. From there, a short zig-zag leaves us in the shelter, a 2.587 meters, in an hour and a quarter from the port.
The views are magnificent Rolando Gap, with extensive language snow at his feet (And that we are in late August!) I do regret not having gotten into the backpack four point crampons. The show deserves a break before tackling the climb up the stone cliff, two majestic sentinel emulators Circus of Gavarnie Rocks Ciáneas that the atemorizaron Ulysses. And how perfect is the rock cut on both ends seem ready to close at any time as a biblical punishment.
We climb the glacier snow soft treading with caution, because a fall can make us roll over a hundred meters down the mountain
The thirty minutes separate the Gap shelter are intense. We climb the glacier snow soft treading with caution, because a fall can make us roll over a hundred meters down the mountain. A few meters ahead, two unconscious move up sneakers with unsteady gait. No major mishaps, reach Rolando Gap (2.804 meters) at noon and four hours in our boots. Again he stopped to savor imposes this joyful reunion with smells and childhood dreams.
This is a privileged, a kingdom where concerns rock rolling downhill sterile barely leave a scratch on our values. The minutiae, made huge by the drudgery of everyday life, here are tiny. Sandwiched between the False Gap and Pic Bazillac aside and The Helmet and peak Marboré other, a dozen people just enjoyed the silence of the mountain, where wind reigns only men silent.
In the Gap, a dozen people just enjoyed the silence of the mountain, where wind reigns only men silent
The road to Taillon runs almost adhered to the stone, but by mistake took another along the hillside a little below, but soon we turned around because it is quite exposed and falling over 200 advised meters reflect. Now for the good path, and after saving the odd step enough air, with the vertigo of Bethlehem has to contend by force, we The Finger (2.944 meters), a block of stone isolated on the ridge leading to the peak, for a while in sight. Lies ahead Only one pedriza much more benevolent than the spittoon Lost, but in any case look drag forces for not demoralized. Not cold, but the clouds lurking behind us in the mountains of Marboré.
Five hours after leaving Bujaruelo (50 minutes from the Gap) reached the top of the Taillon (3.144 meters) at one o'clock after saving a drop of more than 1.700 meters. To Bethlehem is its first three thousand, a special moment and unforgettable emotions accentuating. There is hardly a dozen people at the summit, wide and flattened so as presumed from below.
Reaching the top of a mountain is not only the culmination of physical effort but, especially, another step in the knowledge of oneself
Reaching the top of a mountain is not only the culmination of a physical, also, but, especially, another step in the knowledge of oneself, our limits. That feeling of the mountain as a school of life, so masterfully that have husking Sebastián Álvaro and Eduardo Martinez de Pison, finds its corollary in the peaks, where the “know thyself” of the temple of Delphi.
The vision of the gap from the shelter of Sarradets is one of those landscapes that wither in memory
As the clouds bear down, stay is brief, just minutes quince, crestear it on the wet stone is never pleasant. In an hour and a quarter we reached the Sarradets refuge after sliding down the glacier sitting on the "soup" snow using our heels as a brake.. After a brief rest in front of the Gavarnie Circus Rolando Gap, one of those landscapes that does not wither in memory, continue apace lowering to the port (50 minutes from the refuge), dodging a large legion of French hikers. From that point, again in Spain, recover the solitude of the mountain.
Tiredness and takes its toll on us and the inevitable punterazos against stones toenail overshadow any. The final part of the journey is a continuous breath to see and the parking Bujaruelo, finally tread the quarter to five in the afternoon, after over nine hours (half past three from the top). Faced with few beers happiness is complete.
