Cresta de Salenques Tempestades, Day 2
The cresta de Salenques Tempestades, day 2 is one of the finest in the Pyrenees. It's one of the most sought after ridge lines in the entire mountain range. There are several reasons for this. Probably the most significant is because it culminates at Pico Aneto, the highest point in the Pyrenees. Another reason is that most of the ridge line is above 3000m in height, making this climb an advanced outing in an alpine setting.
The name of this ridge line can be confusing because it suggests that it is just one ridge line. However, to complete this high mountain journey, you actually need to combine two ridge lines, Salenques and Tempestades. These two ridge lines can be done separately, doing each ridge by itself in one day. However, linking them together allows for a complete two-day high altitude ridge climbing experience with an overnight bivouac in alpine terrain along the ridge line. On the second day you finish at the summit of Aneto. It is the highest peak in the Pyrenees, at 3404m (11,168 ft).
Cresta de Salenques Tempestades, Day 2 Pico Aneto
After spending the night in a bivouac at over 3000m of altitude, you awaken to crisp mountain air and an incredible sunrise. There are so many things about sleeping in the mountains that you'll remember, such as the sunset the night before, but the sunrise is equally impressive. With beautiful 360º views reaching into France, Andorra, and Spain, it's simply an unforgettable experience.
After enjoying a simple breakfast on a ridge line, you start your second day of alpine ridge climbing. Destination: Aneto! Similarly to the previous day of ridge climbing, there are a couple of technical sections where you'll need to use the rope and perhaps place some gear such as nuts or cams. The beauty of a granite ridge line like Salenques and Tempestades, is that there is ample natural protection, so you can sling horns and find many natural features to use to your advantage. This cuts down on the amount of gear you need to bring, thus enabling the group to move quicker and more efficiently.
Remember, this is serious alpine climbing so the lighter you can go the more you are stacking the odds in your favor for a successful and uneventful trip. The less gear you bring, the less you have to carry. The difference in weight adds up over a few days and especially during an activity like ridge climbing where you are constantly moving both up and down. All of the above information, including seeing beautiful sunsets and sunrises, depends on favorable meteorological conditions. This of course is also part of the planning of such an endeavor in the high mountains.
Cresta de Salenques Tempestades, Day 2 descent
After a few hours of climbing, rappelling, and scrambling along Tempestades ridge, the technical difficulties diminish and the final section is an easy walk through a wide boulder strewn ridge line. A slight incline brings you to the peak of Aneto. There are a couple of markers at the peak. Sit down here and enjoy a lunch with splendid views of the Pyrenees in every direction. Enjoy your time here but don't celebrate yet because you have a long descent off the west side. Keep an eye on the weather as summer storms develop in the afternoons. Snow is common even in summer at these altitudes. Along with lightning, hail, and freezing rain.
The first part of the descent is on scree, similar to the boulders you had to surmount to summit the peak. Soon thereafter you have to cross a glacier. Glaciers constantly change. Be aware and be careful. Luckily there are no major crevasses on the route that traverses this glacier, however, conditions change rapidly so move efficiently and with intent. You'll likely spend about 1hr crossing the glacier. Afterwards, it is still slow going. You need to negotiate large boulders so it's difficult to move quickly through this section. There are a couple of different ways down but stay in control because you still have 3-4 hours before reaching the valley floor below.
Cresta de Salenques Tempestades, Day 2
The cresta de Salenques Tempestades is definitely one of the best ridge climbs in the Pyrenees. It has a lot of fame and history because it ends at Aneto, the highest peak in the Pyrenees. If you are an experienced alpinist or mountaineer it is well worth your time and effort to do these two ridges. If you are less experienced and are interested in ridge climbing, it would be a good idea to hire a guide for this excursion. Whatever the case may be, be safe and enjoy the mountains.
For other ridge climbing experiences in Spain, contact us. There are lots of ridges all over the country.