Pyrenees Lovers: Ion Varela & Basurde Editions
Before the summer we had the pleasure of being in Donostia for the presentation of a new book: 'The book of the year'.Hiking in the French Pyrenees 2' of our friend Ion Varela. A very careful book in which we are described in great detail a selection of 8 routes in the French Pyrenees. Walking these routes is the excuse to find "new places to discover nature, walking through forests, glaciers and mountains". You will know Ion from his blogging side -the person behind Basurde Editions-If not, now is a good time to do so.
Now we took the opportunity to talk to Ión about this book and new adventures; about the Pyrenees and his passion for the mountains and photography. Here is a micro interview we did with him.
Name: Ion Varela
Location: Donostia (Basque Country)
RRSS: @basurdeeditions (Facebook, Twitter, InstagramTumblr, Wikiloc, 500px, Google+ and if there are any more, I'll be there!
Webs: basurdeeditions.com
"I'm from San Sebastian and when I was a child I used to go to the mountains with my parents. I've never been a sporty person but since I've got back in touch with Mother Nature I try to go to the mountains whenever I have a bit of free time (which isn't much). My new hobby, orienteering, has changed me completely, as I've gone from doing nothing to going to the mountains to run for 'training' (as long as I'm not injured...)".
Define yourself in a tweet:
Between photos, I am a nature-loving person, kind-hearted and of course a good companion, although I tend to complain about everything.
What is your favourite place in the Pyrenees and why?
The Lac d'Estom, in the French Pyrenees (close to Cauterets). It was the first route in the area and therefore where all this Basurde Editions came about. Reaching the end was not easy, but finding this lake is like opening a chest and seeing it full of gold.
What equipment do you 'shoot' with?
I have a Canon 60D and a Tamron 18-200mm lens and of course my mobile (iPhone 7 Plus) which always comes in handy for videos, panoramas and whatever else.
What can't you leave at home? What is your 'must-have'?
The mobile phone, but only for the camera. I can't live if I can't take a picture! But sometimes, no matter how many cameras I have, I don't take a single snapshot.
Give us a tip for when we go on adventures.
Water, it is always better to have too much than too little. As you never know how long it's really going to take, it's better to have plenty of water, and everyone should carry their own water (at least a litre and a half) and if someone doesn't have enough and you have to share, you share, but I'm of the opinion that even two litres of water on your back are not heavy, especially if it's in summer.
What are the lessons you have learned from the mountain?
You can't rely on anything, neither on the weather, as a storm or fog can come in at any moment, nor on the amount of water you will need to drink, and it is always better to be able to quench your thirst (which has already happened to us and is very tiring).
Recommend a film
The Himalayas, a 2015 Korean film by director Lee Seok Hoon. I saw it by chance, it was in the video library of a plane on the way back from a trip to Malaysia, and the truth is that it is very emotional. It is based on real events but I don't know if it was ever released in Spain.
Which person/character inspires you and why.
The only person I think about and carry in my heart is my mother. Even though she passed away in 2015, it is as if she has delegated her fight against cancer to me, so I don't let adversity or anyone else stop me from achieving my goals in life.
What is the adventure of your life?
In the short term, those of this summer, which after passing through the Pyrenees, I'm off to the Azores to write a new road book.. In the long term, Iceland, New Zealand, I can't say, but as long as dreaming is free, I'll aim far away. The possibilities will be decided by my wallet! hahaha!
