the essential
On January 1, two tragic deaths marked the Pic du Cagire in the south of Haute-Garonne. An incident linked to the weather conditions of recent days but also to poor knowledge of the mountains during winter. On site the hikers have taken back their poles but continue to remain vigilant.
On January 1, two hikers died while hiking at Pic du Cagire, an exceptional natural site in Haute-Garonne. If hikers are back on the trails, vigilance is required. On site, the CRS continue to raise awareness about the risks of the mountains in winter: “The risks, it depends, the risks are induced in relation to the weather conditions. In winter, the risk of slipping increases considerably,” assures Sébastien Abbadie, Major of the CRS Pyrénées in Luchon. He continues: “On the peak as in the Pyrenees, we had heavy snowfall, then rain at high altitude. These conditions have an advantage: a reduced risk of avalanche; on the other hand, it increases the formation of what we call in the jargon concrete snow, which is very hard snow.” More than the hiking conditions, it is also the equipment and the gathering of information in advance that allow us to better understand hiking outings. The major of the CRS Montagne recommends: “To obtain information from mountain professionals, who will guide as much as possible on the trails which can be used or not, to wear clothing adapted to the environment and above all to equip yourself as much as possible. On the Cagire or other peaks of the Pyrenees, crampons and sometimes even ice axes become essential.”
As for Patrick Lagleize, president of the Guides des Pyrénées, he believes that learning about the mountains is essential: “The mountain is a natural environment in constant evolution. In our daily lives, we have adapted our universe; here, it is Conversely, it is up to us to adapt and the best thing is to call on guides or mountain guides, who, in addition to supervising the entire hike, go beyond that by giving advice. reading the landscape.” There are also several groups venturing from the Col de Menté on the different hiking trails: “It's quite representative. On site, I was able to come across two types of groups: the first with inexperienced people and poorly suited to the mountain environment in winter and with snow, and a group supervised by a guide, who teaches them to remain alert to the risks of this environment”, notes Patrick Lagleize.
Also read:
Hikers who died in the Pyrenees: falls, difficult conditions… what we know about these tragic accidents
Pic du Cagire: a risky loop?
“We must understand that if in summer we can talk about a path, in winter there is none. The mountains in summer and in winter are totally different. In winter, with or without snow, the risks are exacerbated”, assures Patrick Lagleize. Accustomed to this hiking circuit, the guide reminds us that accidents can happen: “Hikers can slip. So, when there is a slip and people arrive on a flat part, there can be some injuries, friction; but if this happens on a steep path, the damage can be serious, especially in the presence of obstacles on the route.”Is the Pic du Cagire still a dangerous peak? If accidents have already occurred on the hiking trail, Sébastien Abbadie remains pragmatic: “We are often called for falls or accidents while hiking, it is quite common. For the case of the tragic incident this weekend- “Finally, it could have occurred in other places in the Pyrenees and is in no way linked to the Pic du Cagire.” As a security measure, the town hall of Ger-de-Boutx has issued a municipal decree to prohibit hikers from taking the hiking circuit leading to Pic du Cagire.
