Renclusa Refuge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Renclusa Refuge |
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| Coordinates | 42°40′09″N 0°39′03″E / 42.669283°N 0.650758°E |
The Renclusa Refuge (in Spanish: Refugio de la Renclusa) is a shelter high up in the Pyrenees mountains in Spain. It sits at the bottom of the massif de la Maladeta mountain range, about 2,140 meters (7,021 feet) above sea level. You can find it in the Ésera valley.
This refuge is a popular starting point for adventurers wanting to climb some of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees. These include Maladeta, the Monts Maudits, and Aneto, which is the tallest mountain in the entire Pyrenees. The refuge is located near the town of Benasque, in the north-east part of Huesca province, in the region of Aragon, Spain.
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History of the Renclusa Refuge
The name of the refuge comes from the Pic de la Rencluse, a peak about 2,700 meters (8,858 feet) above it. Long ago, this spot was just a simple shelter under a rock. Later, it became a shepherd's hut.
Early Explorers and the Hut
This shepherd's hut was used by famous explorers like Platon de Tchihatchev and Albert de Franqueville. They stayed there with their guides in July 1842. This was during their very first climb to the top of Aneto.
Building the First Refuge
Later, a smart engineer and mountain lover from Catalonia named Juli Soler i Santaló (1865-1914) had a great idea. He had a small house built near where the refuge is today. He called it Villa Maladeta. He also drew up plans for what the future, bigger refuge would look like.
Opening and Growth
The Renclusa Refuge officially opened its doors in 1916. It started with 22 beds for visitors and was looked after by Antonio Abadias. It quickly became one of the busiest mountain refuges in the Pyrenees.
However, the Spanish civil war caused its activities to stop for a while. It wasn't until 1951 that a new, improved, and much larger refuge was opened. After Antonio Abadias passed away, Antonio Garié took over as the manager in 1966.
Accessing the Refuge and Services
Today, the Renclusa Refuge is one of the largest in the Pyrenees. It can host around 110 people at a time. It is usually open from late June to late September. During the winter, it opens on weekends for people who enjoy skiing.
Who Manages the Refuge?
The refuge is managed by two important groups: the Aragonese Mountain Federation (FAM) and the Excursionist Centre of Catalonia (CEC). They work together to keep the refuge running smoothly.
How to Get There
You can reach the Renclusa Refuge in a few ways:
- From Benasque: It's about an hour's walk from the Besurta car park.
- From France: You can also get there from Bagnères-de-Luchon by crossing the port de Venasque.
See also
In Spanish: Refugio de la Renclusa para niños
