Mountain refuge Abri de Leitzarateka

Open looms, side changes and a relief that easily passes from the forest to more clear areas mark the environment of Abri de Leitzarateka in the sector of Arnéguy and the French Lower Navarre. At 1,288 meters, this coat is located in a transition strip where the progression can vary quite according to the side of the corral that it is advanced: there are more protected sections and others more exposed to the wind and fog, something important in a crossing area between valleys and hills close to the border.

Their interest is less at a major immediate summit than in their support role within long routes. The closeness of the French Road and the route of the HRP It makes it a useful free haven to divide day, guard or raise a retreat if time changes. In this sector they also help to guide references such as Urkulu and the environment of the col d'Arnosteguy, which well explain the historical and mountainous character of the passage: it is not a comfortable valley background, but a link ground where the directions change and it is appropriate to be clear to what extent it is going down.

For logistics, the most practical data is water. There are several relatively close points, with a source or harraska less than 1 km and other options in the immediate environment, between about 800 and 1.6 km. However, it is appropriate to have sufficient autonomy in the mountain and not to depend on finding flow at any time. As a free shelter, its use fits better in exits where a certain self-sufficiency is assumed, especially if you cross the area with changing meteorology or with reduced visibility.