The Pyrénées aren’t often in the spotlight within the SOTA community, but their beauty deserves recognition. Yesterday, we embarked on a medium hike, taking advantage of this unusually mild weather at the end of 2024. At the extreme southern edge of our department, we began our adventure in Melles (Labach), a remote mountain village nestled on the border with Val d’Aran, Spain.
The Journey Begins
Crossing an icy spring surrounded by a magnificent forest, we managed to catch a glimpse of our target summit for the day:
Some of the trees here seem ancient, enduring a challenging life.
After about an hour of hiking, we emerged from the forest. At this point, crampons became essential as the snowy terrain demanded caution.
We navigated through treacherous avalanches of compacted ice balls. These formations are a stark reminder of how unforgiving the mountains can be. Best not to linger when they decide to roll!
Reaching the Pastures of Uls
Soon, we arrived at the summer pastures of Uls, offering breathtaking snowy landscapes. The summit appeared almost snow-free, likely a result of the strong winds in recent weeks.
As we gained altitude, the Pyrenean chain began to reveal itself, standing majestically above the bucolic Cabane d’Uls.
The Summit
Upon reaching the summit, we were greeted by conditions more reminiscent of April than December. From here, we could spot a few barns and houses above Melles, tucked away in the forest below. The Pic du Midi de Biorgore loomed in the background.
To the left, the Pic de Maubermé, and to the center, Pic de Crabère. A small yellow plane buzzed by, seemingly practicing snow landings.
The summit itself was welcoming, flat and expansive, serving as a simple sheep pasture during the summer months.
SOTA Activation
With the summit set up, I quickly deployed my gear for a short but productive activation. In just 15 minutes, I managed a solid pileup, logging 28 QSOs, mostly on 20m.
73, Rémy F4LEK