Pico Eriste Sur 3045m by Pascual Fuster
Ascent of Pico Eriste Sur 3045m
Text and photos by Pascual Fuster
It had been quite some time since we had last planned a trip to the Pyrenees and, among other things, we wanted to tick another 3,000-metre peak off our list. We chose the Eriste peaks (also known as Bagüeñola or Grist), as none of us in the group had climbed them before.
I was a little concerned about the metatarsalgia I had recently been diagnosed with by my podiatrist. For those unfamiliar with it, metatarsalgia is pain in the front part of the foot, specifically around the metatarsal bones, which generally becomes worse when walking. It can be quite limiting, even when training, so I decided to wear my Bestard Guepard shoes. I already knew them well and was confident that their cushioning would help absorb the repeated impact on the soles of my feet.
My only concern was whether they would be tough enough to withstand the kind of granite terrain we were expecting, covered with rocks and stones of every imaginable size for kilometre after kilometre.
Everything started off normally from the Sahún Pass. We soon reached Ibón Chico without losing much altitude, followed by the large Barbarisa lake and the upper Barbarisa lakes. From there, the route becomes considerably steeper, gaining more than 500 metres of elevation over a very short distance, across a seemingly endless scree slope, until reaching the beautiful Ibón Chelau.
It was on this section that we failed to read the mountain correctly. We should have followed a barely visible trail towards the Gralla Pass, but instead we thought the pass was located slightly further south and began scrambling upwards over increasingly steep and rugged terrain. I have to say that I felt comfortable throughout this section. Once we reached solid rock, the Guepard shoes gave me a very reassuring sense of grip.
At around 2,900 metres, very close to the summit, my companions decided to turn back. I asked them to let me continue, as I felt confident that I could climb the remaining 150 metres without any problems. And so I did, reaching the summit of Eriste Sur.
Since my companions were already making their way back, I decided to begin my descent as well. This time, however, I chose a much easier route via the Ribereta Pass. Although longer, it presents no particular difficulties, apart from eventually becoming rather tired of walking over so many rocks.
In the end, my doubts proved unfounded. The Guepard shoes withstood the demanding conditions perfectly, without showing any signs of damage, while also providing excellent grip on rock. Just as importantly, my sore feet managed to cope with all that rocky terrain thanks to the cushioning provided by the shoes.
If you are planning to climb the Eriste peaks from the Sahún Pass, I would recommend taking the route via the Ribereta Pass. A shepherd we met on the way down thought we were crazy for having chosen the route we took, but when it comes to challenges and personal preferences, there is no accounting for taste.
