Assess your physical and technical ability, as well as that of the rest of your group. Are you all used to embarking on high-mountain activities lasting over 10 hours and with over 1,200 metres of incline? Are you all experienced in navigating in high-mountain terrain with no routes or paint markings? Do you know how to walk with crampons and perform a self-arrest using an ice axe? If you answered yes to all of these questions, then yes, you are ready (Are you prepared?).

In the high mountains, only mountaineering boots guarantee proper support for your ankles, protecting them against bumps, and this is what you will need for this activity. In addition, the boot will need a clip to allow a crampon to be attached to it (What to wear).

For your safety, you shouldn’t, as this type of shoe does not provide either the foot or the ankle with proper support. What’s more, crampons cannot be safely and properly attached to them (What to wear).

Yes. Choosing not to take them with you, or not knowing how to use them, is foolish. Most of the route goes over ice and snow, meaning that crampons are a vital piece of kit for safely walking over these types of surfaces, while the ice axe is essential for self-arresting in the event of a fall (Ice axe and crampons). Aside from these, we also recommend using a helmet.

Exactly how long you will have to walk on the glacier depends on the route you choose to climb Aneto. If you go up the north face, you will have to overcome a bigger section of the glacier, which may be even bigger if there is still névé. If you take the southern route, you may find snow at around Ibón Superior de Coronas. If there is no snow on the south face, you will reach the ice around Collado de Coronas and must walk on it until the sub-peak. This is a short but particularly steep section that requires the use of crampons and an ice axe. Whichever way you choose, try to avoid walking on the glacier when it is not covered with snow (blue ice). (Aneto Glacier).

The large number of visitors to Aneto means that there is a section that all mountaineers use to climb up, thus avoiding the main cracks. If you choose to use a rope to make it safer, it is your responsibility to ensure that you are fully trained in the necessary techniques. If you don’t have this knowledge, don’t use a rope. Even if you don’t have the necessary experience, if you feel that you should use a rope, or if a member of your group would feel safer using a rope, consider hiring the services of a mountain guide (Mountain guides)..

There is no need to use a rope to get across Puente de Mahoma. If you or a member of your group may need to secure yourselves with a rope, it is your responsibility to take it and know how to use it (Puente de Mahoma).

There are only signposts on the first part of the route. Most of the route goes through high-mountain terrain with no defined trail and instead you will have to follow stone markings on the side of the route (Progression and signposts).

Altitude sickness may occur at altitudes above 2,500 metres. If you are not used to practising sporting activities in the high mountains, or if you ascend too quickly, you may experience some of the symptoms of this illness, such as fatigue or rapid breathing (AMS).

You can call 112 as long as there is a 2G signal on any mobile network, even if it is not your own provider or from your country. Also consider sending adelayed message by using data(Telephone signal).

In the mountains, temperature variations and changes in weather can be sudden and unexpected, and not just at great heights. Warm clothing, a waterproof jacket, a hat and gloves are all things that you must take in your rucksack (What to wear).

Trousers are essential, as they will protect you against the sun and from any scratches or scrapes from rocks, while also preventing you from burning your skin if you fall while on the glacier (What to wear).

It is not a must, but in some cases, it might be a good option. Take stock of your technical knowledge and that of the rest of your group, as well as your experience walking in the high mountains and the use of technical equipment such as crampons and an ice axe. If you think that you are not fit enough and/or you do not have enough technical experience, a guide will help make your ascent safer (Guides).

There is a wide range of adventure tourism companies in Benasque Valley where you can find out more information and hire the services of a mountain guide (Guides).

The roads that take you to La Besurta and Puente de Coronas are restricted during the summer months and you cannot get there in your private vehicle. There is a regular bus service, however. Check the travel advice before coming (Getting there).

You will need to take the so-called “mountaineers’ bus”. This bus leaves Benasque between 4:30 and 5:30 in the morning and takes you to La Besurta and Puente de Coronas. If your goal is to climb Aneto and come back down in one day, then you will need to take one of these buses. Check the timetables and prices before coming (Getting there).

En realidad son dos posibles rutas y ambas comienzan en La Besurta. La ruta por el Portillón Superior (La Besurta – La Renclusa – Portillón Superior – glaciar del Aneto – Collado de Coronas y Aneto) se utiliza mientras hay nieve sobre el glaciar y desde por lo menos el Portillón Superior. Una vez la nieve se retira (el nevero se funde) es mejor optar por la ruta por el Salterillo, que evita buena parte del hielo del glaciar la exposición a la caída de piedras (aunque no lo evita todo: también habrá que pisar hielo, pero menos tiempo). La ruta del Salterillo también se puede realizar haciendo noche en el refugio de La Renclusa.

This route begins at Puente de Coronas, which you can get to from Plan de Senarta in Vallibierna Valley (Southern route).

Neither of the “classic” routes up Aneto can be considered easy: both of them take you over high-mountain terrain, passing Aneto Glacier (requiring the use of technical equipment) and Puente de Mahoma (with sheer drops), in addition to gaining over 1,500 metres in altitude. The two routes are similar in terms of their difficulty, although the northern route is the more popular one among mountaineers.

Lots of people choose to spend the night at La Renclusa and split their ascent into two days. If you are thinking of doing the same, make sure there is availability and book plenty of time in advance as the refuge is usually fully booked in summer (La Renclusa).