Rioseta: perfect circus
[tab:Travel]
Seldom have I encountered a landscape so overwhelming as Rioseta Circus, in the Aragonese Pyrenees. One step from the station Candanchú, which has just opened the winter season, This natural stone porch and creepy cut leaves absorbed the traveler going to the Port of Somport, the Roman Summus Portus, ancestral crossing between Spain and France. It is the perfect amphitheater, flanked on one side by the air atop Eagle Peak and, other, by the challenging summit Aspe. Base, facilities Mountain Military School, they could not dream of a better scenario. Only one drawback: is difficult to pull over the car to enjoy the views as they deserve.
After a steady climb from the town of Canfranc, which boasts one of the most beautiful train stations in Spain, the car turns a curve to the left and, before him, snowy cliffs emerge from Lecherines and White Tuca. It is truly spectacular, one of those postcards you never forget Pyrenees. To savor the moment, advice: just before a small parking to the right of the road, next to a bridge where the track starts leading to the Canal Roya. Leave the car there and then walk. You will not regret.
Candanchú, which is considered the oldest ski resort of the Peninsula, looks back almost a century since in years 20 the pioneers of the sport of snow, with mountaineers of Aragon and the Sky Club at the head Tolosano, began to slide down its slopes. They arrived long before the first ski lifts (to 1945 the station had no mechanical installation to ease the strain of the skiers), when the ski lifts or imagined. The pleasure of a drop on the old wooden boards cost much sweat. Skis on shoulder, climb the hill of Tobazo, that today only takes just over five minutes from ski lift, was an eternity. Now that's love. My father, that was part of the first military ski courses Rioseta used to talk wistfully of those heroic years, when skiing was not yet popular sport in which was to become.
He was responsible for encouraging my first steps in the snow, when buying individual tickets lift in the tiny wooden hut at the foot of the Big Track, I had to hand before taking the hanger to the manager, that ended up being like family. From the placid TV Rock, beginners' tracks occur in difficult to reach the "doctorate" from the Big Track. I remember one day my father thought me prepared to show my progress to the family at this track, I had never dropped. We bought the tickets (would cost something like 50 pesetas each). At the second turn I "ate" a Paquetón of soft snow skis and lost. I looked down in the hope that my spectacular tumble had been concealed among the novice group of skiers that, with the same fear that I, were lost downslope. Far. My family still there. For me, I still had to apañármelas to complete the descent and other gradient descent, His presence was so uncomfortable and like a firing squad. I completed the course as, I think I fell a couple of times. When I turned to climb down to the lift without waiting for the verdict. It cost me a lot. The second descent was quite a display of pragmatism. Track completed the entire Big Wedge (I think it still must be marked my footprints in the snow as hard as I did to keep from going to fall). My father did not say anything. My uncles and cousins, neither. It did not take. It was an invaluable lesson in humility. Since then, whenever I face a drop, simple it is, never lose sight that I am in the hands of the mountain.
Now that I've been skiing in over thirty years Candanchú (write sentences like this produces more vertigo download any track black), recognize a weakness, Loma Verde, in Tuca, a little busy fall full of sensations plethoric. I recommend it to anyone with a good level of skiing and first visit Candanchú. Eye, make sure it is open and the snow in good condition. Slipper downs is another essential. Peek at the beginning of the tube, wedged between rocks, and see the steep slope ahead is an adrenaline rush.
Only post in the modern King Juan Carlos chairlift, as close to the Aspe, is a pleasure. I uploaded several times that peak, All summer. The last time I had to turn around. He was alone and there was still plenty of snow (I remember it was June) in the channel leading to the neck of the Aspe. It was well equipped and had gone on foot (usually saves lift that leg) until Tobazo, adding to the effort. See the top from the comfort of the chair lift add fuel to the desire to try again.
[tab:the way]
Candanchú station is located in the town of Valle del Aragon, to a border crossing with France. From the town of Jaca is reached in just twenty minutes drive.
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A former Customs Police Corps of the nineteenth century converted into a hotel in 1991 is an excellent choice for a stop on the way. The Hotel Santa Cristina (www.santacristina.es), which takes its name from an ancient pilgrims atop the Portus Summus (in VaP. published an extensive report on the monastery, one of the three most important pilgrim hostels of Christendom), Located halfway between station and Candanchú Canfranc, a detour to the right of the road.
[tab: a table set]
In the same hotel in Santa Cristina is good menus from 17 EUR. Try the lamb cooked in a mountain style.
In the nearby town of Jaca, towards Jaca, is The Reno, also a former police building. Good hunting and family atmosphere. Crumbs the shepherdess and lamb chops are a good choice.
[tab:highly recommended]
-If you have time visit the Caves of the Güixas, just outside the town of Jaca. Former haunt of men of Neolithic, it is said that within covens of witches were the devil and invoked. To arrange tours call 974-378 465. More information www.villanua.net.
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Comments (2)
Anonymous
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[…] […]
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Tito "Snow"
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That landscape!! I do not know, but want. Interesting blog, with fresh and original approach. Greetings
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