Monte Perdido (Mont Perdu in French, both meaning lost mountain)...

Monte Perdido (Mont Perdu in French, both meaning lost mountain) is the third highest mountain in the Pyrenees. The summit of Monte Perdido (3355m), located in Spain, lies hidden from France by the seemingly impenetrable peaks of the Cirques of Gavarnie and Estaube.

To get to the mountain from Spain is easier. Explorers first had to hike from the Aragonese village of Torla along the huge Ordesa Canyon and then up through the Circo de Soaso before attempting the stiff climb to the summit. Monte Perdido is the centrepiece of the Spanish Parque Nacional de Ordesa y Monte Perdido which was established in 1918 with just 21 square kilometres of land. It is the highest limestone summit in Europe and the third highest peak in the Pyrenees.

Today the park has grown significantly to 156 square kilometres and incorporates the whole of the Anisclo Canyon. There are more than 1500 species of flower, 171 birds, 32 different mammals and 8 types of reptile in the Ordesa. Most magnificent of all is the Lammergeier (Bearded Vulture) with a 3 metre wingspan. The Pyrenees is the only place to see these birds outside of Africa.

Climb Monte Perdido is easy but depends of the weather. The normal route start at the Ordesa National Park. You can sleep on the hut of Goriz at (2200m) (camping forbiden) and reach the top in 5 hours from the hut if the weather goods.

Another summit just for fun and share.

Carlos Moreira.

Added: April 23, 2006
Date produced: 2004
Producer: Carlos Moreira
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