Rescuers in French Pyrenees warn against reckless hiking
Concerns raised after two 19-year-olds rescued following 20-hour ordeal
The men got into difficulties during a snowstorm in the Canigou massif last weekend
Yapasphoto StefClement/Shutterstock
Rescue services in France are warning people to check the weather forecast and ensure they have appropriate gear before setting out on mountain hikes, following an overnight rescue in the Pyrenees.
Two 19-year-old men required emergency assistance in the Canigou massif (Pic du Canigó area, Pyrénées-Orientales, Occitanie) on Saturday, March 28, after becoming stranded in a storm.
Four mountain rescuers from the Bolquère CRS (Compagnies Républicaines de Sécurité, specialised mobile emergency force) took nearly 20 hours to bring them to safety.
The pair set out on an ascent at 15:30 even though the storm had been forecast. They called for help after dark Saturday evening when they became stranded on the mountain in stormy conditions. The storm brought wind gusts of up to 130 km/h to the Pyrenees, as well as sub-zero temperatures and snowfall.
The men had only one headlamp between them, and were wearing trainers as opposed to specialised hiking or snow footwear.
The mountain rescuers attempted to reach the hikers first by Land Rover, then by ATV (all-terrain vehicle, a type of quad bike), and were required to clear certain forest trails with chainsaws due to damage caused by the storm.
The two hikers were located at 3:40 on Sunday morning. They had managed to find their way back to the Chalet de Cortalets refuge (2,150m). Both the hikers and the CRS team spent the night at the refuge hut, before heading back down the mountain in the morning.
Advice for hikers
The rescue team reiterated their warning, saying:
Check the forecast before setting out, and pack weather-appropriate gear and supplies
Pack appropriate gear (including hiking boots, headlamps, gloves, a survival blanket, food, drinks, extra phone battery, a GPS tracker that does not rely on phone signal, etc.) before any trip into the mountains
Know when to turn back, even if you have prepared for the conditions
Do not head out if you do not have the relevant experience or gear
The Pic du Canigó area is a popular place for hiking, climbing, and horseback riding, but it does require some experience and preparation as the weather can change quickly.
The terrain is not suitable for camping or bivouacking, so anyone intending to spend the night on the mountain must use the refuges (which also include the Refuge de Mariailles, and the Refuge de Bâtère).
It comes after the Cour des comptes (the court of auditors - the highest court in France that assesses public spending) last month presented a 157-page report to the Senate, which included a recommendation that certain mountain rescues should be paid for by the people being rescued, particularly if they are found in “off-piste” areas, or trails outside of the rescuers’ usual remit.
Rescues have increased by 44% in the past decade due to increased numbers of people taking part in mountain sports, and climate change, which can cause more unpredictable and changing weather conditions, the report said.
It also recommended the unification of mountain rescue services into a single force, which would save “at least 10% of the cost of the current system, or around €10 million”, it said.
If you need emergency assistance in the mountains in France, call 15 or 112.
