Virgin Snow Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

This is a panorama stitched from 14 images in two rows of seven of an almost inaccessible area of the Pyrenees in the Haute Ariège area of France. Click the image for the larger version (375kb)

I got there the easy way. The most northern ski lift in Andorra leaves you a short climb from the border with France. From the ridge (~2700m) you can gaze into this region of Fourcat-Gnioure and imagine that you are the only person in the world up there. On a crisp clear day it is an exceptional feeling of freedom.

Smuggling between France and Spain has passed through these mountain passes since time immemorial. The Cathar heretics took refuge here during the Crusades. In the Spanish Civil War combatants headed south and refugees headed north. During World War II it was an escape route for downed pilots, resistance fighters and Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis.

The area is reachable from the French side as well and Philippe Quéinnec has documented his randonnées in the area with photos and directions.

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Critiques | Translate

PSL (113) 2004-02-06 8:21

Superb panorama !
I like this dark blue sky contrasting with the snow.
May be the foreground shadow is a bit too present.

htremblay (1664) 2004-02-06 8:39

Le contraste est superbe. Ce paysage est magnifique et très bien rendu. Bravo.
Contrast is superb. This landscape splendid and is very well returned. Bravo.

robbertjan (2906) 2004-02-06 8:39

Peter great shot! The colors and the composition are great. Good! Well seen

izanoza (777) 2004-02-06 10:04

You made huge work to stich all images together. And very nice result, the panorama is glorious. Thanks!

jhm (82297) 2004-02-06 11:10

I like this dark blue sky contrasting with the snow. This landscape splendid and is very well returned. Peter good text.

gbac (1931) 2004-02-06 12:24

Très belle réalisation pour le montage de ces 14 images.
L'endroit est vraiment magnifique du moins pour ce qui nous est donné de voir sur ce panorama.
Merci de partager.

dominique (11403) 2004-02-06 17:19

Joli travail , le panorama est en vogue en ce moment sur TE et celui la est plutot impressionnant , la neige c'est toujours spectaculaire , une photo tres propre et un joli cadrage .

jrj (34779) 2004-02-09 12:44

A fine landscape panorama Peter. Interesting to see that you used 2x7 pixs. - I would have expected a wider width.

vbourrut (30541) 2004-02-25 15:39

Très beau panorama, on se sent tout petit quand on regarde cela...

colinbrenchley (6133) 2005-01-01 15:15

Excellent panorama - your stitching skills are very good.

Salocin51 (533) 2005-05-02 8:29

Sincèrement, les 14 images, on les voit pas du tout ! C'est vraiment un remarquable travail, chapeau bas !
Et merci pour cette neige vierge de toute trace de skieur, quel bonheur et quel spectacle pour les yeux...