Maladeta, Mountain summit in Benasque, Spain
Maladeta is a granite peak in the Pyrenees rising to 3,308 meters (10,853 feet). Its northern face shows steep slopes and permanent snow fields that create a dramatic backdrop to the landscape.
The first documented ascent took place in 1817, led by French mountaineers Friedrich Parrot and Pierre Barrau. This milestone marked the beginning of the peak's place in mountaineering history.
The name comes from an old local term meaning bad rocks, reflecting how early inhabitants perceived this harsh and dangerous place. This naming tradition reveals the direct relationship between mountain communities and the landscape they lived beside.
Climbers typically use the Refugio de la Renclusa at 2,140 meters (7,021 feet) as their base for reaching the summit. The climb involves steep terrain, snow, and rocky sections that require experience and proper equipment.
Two separate glaciers cover the northern slopes: the Western Maladeta and the larger Eastern Maladeta. These ice fields are protected as part of the Natural Park of Posets-Maladeta and tell the story of how mountain ice responds to climate shifts.
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