the essential
The high mountain gendarmerie platoon (PGHM) intervened several times towards the Pic du Cagire a few days apart. The victims had underestimated the winter conditions.
The Luchon high mountain gendarmerie platoon came to the aid of a 42-year-old hiker from the Toulouse region at the start of the week. The man had begun to climb the north face of Pic de Cagire, when he went off course for a dizzying distance of around a hundred meters before hitting trees. This spectacular fall caused him several serious injuries to his arms and legs.
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Hard snow alert in the Pyrenees which caused numerous interventions by mountain rescuers
“We were mobilized around 10:30 a.m. for assistance which lasted about an hour on site,” explains Sébastien Lucéna, commander of the Luchon PGHM. The victim was very lucky, the consequences could have been much more serious. Wounded in his legs and arms, we evacuated him by helicopter to the hospital in Tarbes. The snow is really hard in the mountains, you have to be vigilant and, above all, wear good shoes. »
A pair of sneakers on your feet
The hiker, well equipped in terms of clothing, only wore a pair of trail-type sneakers on his feet, complete with shoe chains. “This equipment is simply insufficient and totally unsuitable for the situation,” continues Major Lucéna. We had the same help in the same area last Friday, with the same causes. Many sportsmen, although seasoned, tend to minimize the real dangers of mountain environments. The first week of the holidays, for Christmas, we had beautiful snowfall, with a high avalanche risk. Then there was a mild spell, rain, and finally, cold on top of it all. The snow is therefore very hard and we are dealing with real icy surfaces, making any progress extremely dangerous. People should be careful in their mountain activities until snow conditions improve. »
Also read:
After the explosion of mountain rescue services this summer, caution is required for this winter in the Pyrenees
It is crucial to be wary of routes popular in summer, which are often impassable and treacherous once winter comes, particularly access to Lac d'Oô, where crampons are often necessary. “Last week, a young girl wanted to go to Pic de l’Escalette in tennis. Fortunately, she came across hikers who dissuaded her, concludes Sébastien Lucéna. Extreme caution must be exercised on all routes on the north face of the massif, and this concerns all hiking activities. »
A message of prevention while the holidays are in full swing in Luchonnais, with attendance close to records.
