El Aneto glacier has once again drawn attention with two notable interventions: two mountaineers from Barcelona were injured after slipping on the ice and, in a separate incident, four climbers were evacuated in the vicinity due to exhaustion and hypothermia. In both cases, the specialists from the GREIM of Benasque with medical support and air resources.
At the same time, the guides of the area warn that the Upper Gate is going through a difficult time: the snow has disappeared and there is live ice, rockfalls are increasing and the crossing is becoming more difficult. To reduce risks, they recommend routes that avoid stepping on the glacier, starting from The Besurta or refuge of the Renclusa and surrounding the ice plates.
Accident on the Aneto ice: two injured
The notice arrived at 13:10 PM via 112 SOS AragónOn a steep slope of the glacier, two men, aged 58 and 40—both residents of Barcelona—slipped, with serious consequences: fractures of the tibia and ankle and multiple lacerations for one; rib and ankle fractures, in addition to various injuries, for the other. The operation was carried out by the GREIM of Benasque, the Benasque Air Unit or with a doctor of 061. After being located, one was evacuated by helicopter to the Benasque helipad for transport by road to the Barbastro Hospital; the second one went to a medicalized helicopter of 112 heading to the Miguel Servet Hospital of Zaragoza.
Aneto Glacier in the Pyrenees
Four mountaineers caught in the cold in the vicinity
In another recent intervention, three mountaineers from Ciudad Real —two 54-year-olds and an 18-year-old— and a French companion of 50 were blocked in the area of Salterillo, next to the glacier, by exhaustion and hypothermiaThe GREIM specialists from Benasque approached first in an official vehicle and continued on foot, accompanying the group during the night to a safe point. At first light, the aircraft of the Benasque Air Unit completed the evacuation to the helipad; those affected did not require hospital admission.
Why the glacier is more delicate this summer
Snow removal in the Upper Gate leaves exposed hard ice where crampons bite harder and slipping becomes more likely. As the midday hours warm up, the ice bridges melt that stabilize rocks and increase landslides. Professionals call for Don't be overconfident and consider surrounding the glacier when the ice appears.
Alternative routes and safety when climbing Aneto
Alternatively, it is advisable to boot from the La Besurta parking lot or from the refuge of the Renclusa and continue along the path towards the Salterillo Lake, thus avoiding the frozen plates. The slope and distance They remain at similar numbers and the views are comparable, but direct exposure to the ice is clearly decreasing, as recalled by campaigns such as Safe Mountain.
- Planning and weather forecast: Check the forecast and the status of the glacier before you go out.
- Communicate your itinerary: inform someone of the planned route and schedule.
- Essential equipment: ice axe, crampons in good condition, helmet y Long pants to protect themselves from rock and ice.
- Avoid central hours: the heat favors falls and landslides; take extreme care on the descent, the section with the most incidents.
The situation in the Aneto glacier requires additional prudence: the latest bailouts demonstrate that, with the outcropped ice and unstable rock, a stumble or a faint can become complicated in minutes. Opt for itineraries without stepping on the glacier, checking your gear and making conservative decisions is now the best way to safely enjoy the highest peak in the Pyrenees.