Aspe

Overview

Over the ski station of Candanchú in Western Pyrenees (Pirineos Occidentales) there are big mountains among which Aspe's Peak stands out for its height and personality. Other peaks in this mountain range are: Lecherín (2567m), Llena del Bozo (2566m), Llena de la Garganta (2599m), Bisaurin (2670m)...
From any place it takes a beautiful aspect as its geometric forms give a very aesthetic aspect to the peak. It is specially in the most admired north face and that when it is covered of snow surprises for its alpine aspect. The easiest route is the south face from the Aisa's valley.

Other names in some spanish maps: Pico de la Garganta de Aísa, Pico Esper, but the name Aspe is most popular.

First climb: it seem in 1870 or 1880 by E.Wallon.
-NE face: 1957 by García, Rubio and Sebastian.
-Ridge East (or Arista de los murciélagos-bat ridge): 1960 by Rabadá, Alcalde, Vicente and Ansón.
-Ridge NE or Edil way: pure rock climbing in 1962 by the famous Rabadá and Navarro.

Note: the track to GPS includes the normal route (South from El rigüelo)

Getting There

Two main trailheads to climb this mountain: Candanchú and Aisa.

*Ski-station of Candanchú:
From Zaragoza: N-330 (E-07) to Huesca. For the same road to Sabiñanigo, Jaca, Canfranc and finally Candanchú.
From Pamplona: N-240 to Jaca.

*Aisa:
In the road between Jaca and Canfranc see the deviation to left indicated as Borau / Aisa before Villanua.
Another possibility to Aísa: It is not properly indicated by road signs, but if you bother to ask people in Jaca they might tell you about another road to Aísa. It starts from the farther end of the gardens placed by the Gran Hotel, and offers a little better road (road design and floor quality) to get to Aísa, even if a little longer (thanks to "eza" for posting the information)

Other routes

*Other routes to climb: the "normal" mountaineers don't climb using another routes but I put it for the expert rock-climbers:
-Ridge east or bat ridge (arista del murciélago): D-,rappel. From step-crossing of Garganta de Aisa.
-Couloir SE: AD, step-crossing grade III, in winter.
-Couloir North: AD, in winter.
-NE face: D or MD.
-NW face: D-.
-SE face: AD+ or MD.

Red Tape

No permits required. In winter the ice is dangerous some days. Some days the wing is very strong in this mountain in winter or spring.

When To Climb

June to september. Very hard in winter (ice, bad weathers,...). Many people don't arrive to the summit in this mountain in winter in many days since they have to give the return because of ice.

Camping

-Refugio de Gabardito. (974/375358)-Echo.
-Refugio de Lizara (974/371473)-F.A.M.-Aragües del Puerto. 75 places.
-For housing in neighboring valley of Canfranc see the page of Collarada.

Skí-stations: Candanchú and Astún.
For see another picture of Aspe with Astún: link picture

Mountain Conditions

-Aemet: Aisa
-Freemeteo: Aisa

External Links

• Los Pirineos.info: Aisa
  Information of tourism about the village of Aisa (spanish).
  
• Winter resort of Candanchú
  Web page of the closest ski resort. May offer info on snow conditions and weather, apart from a webcam
  
• Canelle, the last Pyrenean female bear has been slaughtered
  She lived in the valley of Aspe, it's a sad piece of news for people who love the wildlife (in French).
  

Images

View Aspe Image Gallery - 81 Images