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Location and Description
The Monte Perdido, also known as the "Lost Mountain" in English, and locally referred to as "Las Tres Sorores" or "As Tres Serols", is located on the southern slope of the central Pyrenees, in the province of Huesca, within the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park in the autonomous community of Aragon, Spain. Its highest peak reaches an elevation of 3,355 meters above sea level, making it the tallest limestone massif in Europe.
Valleys and Glaciers
The Monte Perdido massif is part of the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park, which includes four valleys of great beauty: Ordesa, Añisclo, Escuaín, and Pineta. On the northern face of Monte Perdido, one of the few remaining glaciers in the Pyrenees can be found, although it is constantly retreating.
Flora and Vegetation
The flora in Monte Perdido is very unique due to its altitude and geological conditions. Of the approximately 3,500 species of vascular plants found in the Pyrenees, only about 150 are capable of surpassing the 3,000-meter mark, and of those, 95 have been located in the 34 "three-thousanders" of the Monte Perdido massif and its surroundings.
World Heritage Site
Since 1997, the "Pyrénées – Mont Perdu" site has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The protected area encompasses territories in both Spain and France and reflects an agricultural way of life that was once widespread in high-altitude regions of Europe but now only survives in this part of the Pyrenees.
Explorations and Mountaineering
Ramond de Carbonières was one of the first to study the Pyrenees and Monte Perdido. Among mountaineers, Monte Perdido is highly popular because it is a relatively easy three-thousander to tackle. The normal ascent route is done through the Góriz refuge (2,160 m) and the "la escupidera" couloir.
Geology and Unique Landscapes
Monte Perdido showcases exceptional geological features and stunning landscapes, including notable sights such as the Brecha de Roldán, karst plateaus, and frozen caves like the Casteret cave. It is an ideal environment to discover and experience the power and beauty of nature in its purest form.
The Glacier of Monte Perdido: A Retreating Giant
The Glacier of Monte Perdido is the fourth largest glacier in the Pyrenees, following the glaciers of Aneto, Maladeta, and Ossoue. It is a small mountain glacier suspended on a steep slope between 2,700 and 3,250 meters in altitude on the north face of Monte Perdido. Like the rest of the Pyrenean glaciers, this glacier has been retreating for the past two centuries. During the 20th century, the lower part of the glacier has been ascending in elevation, and by the 1930s, the decrease in the icefall connecting the upper and lower portions of the glacier was already noticeable. In 1973, the icefall completely melted, separating the two ice masses.