Tag Archives: Pyrenees

Abroad, Hiking and Mountaineering

11 Mountaineering Preparations

Introduction

Mountaineering is a dangerous pastime, make no mistake about it.

Last weekend I suffered a fall in the Dolomites in South Tyrol and badly injured my left arm, yet training and a fair share of luck saved me from far worse injuries.

So now is as good a time as any to give some information and guidance as to hazard prevention and preparations when making a mountain tour what … read more

Abroad, Cycling, Personal Development

Comfort zone crusher: Col du Tourmalet

Table of contents

  1. Prologue
  2. The Pyrenees
  3. Col du Tourmalet
  4. Hunt for the Col
  5. Epilogue

1. Prologue

I am on around 1300 meters altitude and the snow is glittering in the early afternoon sun.

It is the beginning of December, but I am wearing a simple cotton T-shirt while standing at the roadside ditch, my hands on the handlebar of my MTB.

As I was climbing up this mountain half an … read more