Black Garmo: the 3.000 Express
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For any mountaineer with a half preparing to ascend a peak of more than 3.000 meters is, almost always, the need to spend a night en route to make more bearable the gap to bridge. But there are some tresmiles that can be uploaded in one day if a bit madruguemos. In the Aragonese Pyrenees, the most direct route I know to cap a 3.000 Black is the Garmo, Spa in Huesca Panticosa.
The attraction of the mountain is sometimes so strong that neither know nor want to avoid. I had uploaded other times Garmo Black (3.051 meters), but never alone. Not that I want to live that experience, simply could not find anyone to accompany me. Although he always has a point reckless, would go just this once. Out of necessity.
All these fears and doubts caused by respect for the mountain my dreams that night rampage in August and the splashes of nightmares that make it a constant dozing. Tired of fighting with the sheets, at six o'clock I get up and two hours later I'm in the resort of Panticosa, at the foot of Black Garmo, 1.400 meters above. Nearly a mile of elevation separates me from the top, now so far. The spa, immersed in an ambitious rehabilitation truncated by the crisis, is now desert. I walk alone into the woods located behind the dam, where once stood the thermal pools frequented, among other illustrious, Santiago Ramon y Cajal, Ortega y Gasset the Canovas del Castillo.
Not the woods somewhere to stay, at least not for me, but to cross them with your questions in tow
Has something special to hear your footsteps in a shady forest, still feeling the cool morning. Any sound is magnified, even your own breath, the unseen comes to life, thoughts are resting and you hear their insecurities with a vengeance. Not the woods somewhere to stay, at least not for me, but to cross them with your questions in tow.
But I must take the only shadows of the day. From this, nothing at all. Upon exiting the wooded area, must follow the path to the right to save a first cut guided by the stone markers. First, breathing is jerky and look up more often, as if to reach the view that legs still do not tread. Here there is no approximation. No stops rising. Hence, it is one of the most accessible tresmiles.
I advance two young Vitoria, GPS and pressure, climbing as mountain goats, at a rate high on the mountain is always counterproductive. The short step is our best ally sustained. Here are nothing worth the accelerations. Apparently, collect peak. Yesterday the Anayet, in Canal Roya, and tomorrow are determined to make the Aneto. Just listening to the joints ache. For a while I keep the pace, but in the end I pick me up because I prefer my air.
To crown many peaks you need to know to turn around at some hill
Saved the ravine Argualas, and the sight and of Pondiellos rightmost, must turn left to face a very stretched hillside towards the hill of Argualas. In this area there are small even in summer snowfields. It's time to regain strength after two hours of uninterrupted ascent. Ten minutes is sufficient to come up through the sports drink, some energy bars and a piece of fruit, on the mountain known as elsewhere. Now I have gas to get to the hill, so it 40 minutes after.
The hills give off a special magnetism. They are our best allies to reach the heights and, also, Rubicon where a small forward or decide whether to continue to enjoy the sights and to terminate the effort. Sometimes, that decision is dictated by weather, the treacherous fog for example. But to crown many peaks you need to know to turn around at some hill.
Now, with the summit in sight, look up the mountain is inescapable. Ahead of these stony requiring snort and walk without distracting eyes from the ground to not be depressed at the slow progress of our steps. Because in a slope of loose stones multiply efforts and sometimes requires a step to give two, because the soles do not grip and glide.
After half an hour of fighting with zig-zags that drag, finally reached the summit three hours after leaving the spa
Supported by the Confucian maxim that the target is on the way, even a lie and is unwilling, at this point, to surrender to top, I save the pedriza. Step next to one of the gps Vitoria, which has been lagging. Efforts to be paid just. After half an hour of fighting with zig-zags that drag, finally reached the summit three hours after leaving the spa. Upstairs there are nearly a dozen people. The impressive south face of the Underworld, opposite to us, is really awesome. Down there, as rain puddles, the mountain lakes of Pondiellos. Beyond, in neighboring France, descuella the bulk of the Midi d'Ossau. Touch and enjoy shelter.
The descent is rapid, just a brief stop to cool in a stream. Especially at the beginning, be careful not to lose the reference to the stone monuments, those little mounds, sometimes imperceptible in the stony, that indicate the right path. In some sections have to jump from stone to stone to move faster. Fatigue starts to bite and, in one of these, my right leg sinks to the thigh in a crack. Fortunately, only a few scratches not prevent me from getting down in less than two hours from the top of Garmo. And total, five hours. I said, a 3.000 in the fast lane.
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In the main square of the resort there are several terraces where drink. In these cases, imposing the pitcher of beer with lemon or homemade, almost drunk as a shot. Above our heads is the historic Bel House.
In the village of Panticosa there are several dining, but I prefer to continue on the road to Sabiñánigo and swerve to the left in the valley of Tena, to reach dam Bubal, direction El Pueyo de Jaca, where whenever I can and in the restaurant The Reservoir, in the Plaza Mayor. Altoaragonesa food discounts (the menu is around 15 EUR). Potatoes are memorable encebolladas. Second, I prefer the rabbit or grilled ribs. In weekend, to book (Telephone. 974 487048). The Pueyo has a delicious walk to the river to wash it down perfect.
Comments (5)
elena
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Panticosa is always in my heart. Thank you for bringing this site through such beloved landscapes in the Pyrenees.
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Santiago
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The past two summers intetamos, we were about 200m from the summit, to terribly hot. but since then the place is awesome, as impressive is your article. Thank you very much for Share.
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ricardo Coarasa
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Thank you very much, Santiago. I've done several times in the top Garmo, but I have had to turn around sometime in the fog. On this occasion, course, was really special to ride alone. I'm glad I was able to convey my emotions on the mountain and it's always a pleasure to have climbers among our readers like you. Greetings
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Santiago
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So, on the mountain there is to know that up here, which we did not step in Peña Telera, very close to Panticosa, where a winter we had to rescue, after passing over 30 horas metidos en «La gran diagonal», but that's another battle.
Grateful for your response.
Greetings
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ricardo Coarasa
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Peña Telera the summer I went a few years ago. The channel way up the hill I remember it very hard. One that stayed with me going down the road and picked up around. As they say, a calcetinada..
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