Any mountain activity requires an understanding of the physical effort and technical difficulties involved. This gives you a clearer idea of whether you can take part. The guides at PirineoSur.es are patient, understanding professionals who set a slow pace adapted to each person’s specific needs. Do not be daunted by the elevation gain: with motivation and a steady aerobic pace, you will overcome any obstacle.
Some guidelines for your chosen activity:
Low physical difficulty —
Ascents: This activity is not physically demanding and can be undertaken with a basic level of fitness. It follows good, well-marked paths, with 600 m of ascent and a distance of 9–10 km, plus the descent.
Mountaineering: This activity is not very physically demanding, but participants must be able to walk for 4–5 hours carrying a fairly light daypack, with 700 m of ascent, plus the descent.
Ski touring: This activity is not very physically demanding, but participants must be able to walk for 4–5 hours carrying a fairly light daypack, with 700 m of ascent, plus the descent.
Climbing: Good physical fitness and an adventurous spirit.
Moderate physical difficulty —
Ascents: Some physical preparation is advisable. The activity follows paths that are not always in good condition or well marked, with 900 m of ascent and a distance of 10–18 km, plus the descent.
Mountaineering: This activity is physically demanding. Participants must be able to walk uphill for 5–6 hours carrying a backpack, with 1,000 m of ascent, plus the descent.
Ski touring: This activity is physically demanding. Participants must be able to walk for 5–6 hours carrying a backpack, with 1,000 m of ascent, plus the descent.
Climbing: Occasional climber with good physical fitness.
High physical difficulty —
Ascents: Very good physical preparation is required. The activity follows poorly marked paths or goes off trail. It may involve several days with 1,000–1,500 m of elevation gain and distances of 20 km.
Mountaineering: This activity is very physically demanding. Participants must be able to walk uphill for 6–8 hours carrying a backpack, with an ascent of more than 1,000–1,500 m, plus the descent.
Ski touring: This activity is very physically demanding. Participants must be able to walk uphill for 6–8 hours carrying a backpack, with an ascent of more than 1,000–1,500 m, plus the descent.
Climbing: Regular climber, confident with knots and ropes.
Low technical difficulty —
Ascents: No previous experience is required. The pace is very slow and adapted to the least able participant. No specialist equipment for progression is used.
Mountaineering: No previous experience is required, but you should feel comfortable on exposed or steep sections that are not sustained.
Ski touring: Basic parallel skiing on pistes; no off-piste experience.
Climbing: No previous experience is required.
Moderate technical difficulty —
Ascents: No previous experience is required. There are exposed or steep sections where a rope may be needed in places for safety.
Mountaineering: Some experience of walking with crampons, the ability to belay and the ability to tie a knot for tying into the rope.
Ski touring: Proficient parallel skiing on pistes. The skier knows the basics of changing skins and has some experience of travelling with an ice axe and crampons.
Climbing: Must know how to belay and tie into the rope, and be able to second a route with short, non-sustained grade IV sections.
Ascents: Knowledge of scrambling techniques and basic rope use is recommended. Exposed, rugged terrain.
Mountaineering: Experience in high mountain terrain, on classic ridges and snow slopes, with basic climbing technique.
Ski touring: Proficient parallel skiing off piste, with mountaineering experience.
Climbing: Able to climb grade V as a second. Experience of abseiling and multi-pitch routes.
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