In the middle of the pandemic, we set out on new shores. Toros Outdoors celebrated its Pyrenees premiere in June 2021. Amigo, que tal? Muy muy bueno, and something like that! It quickly became clear: Spain would have a permanent place in the Toros tour planner. Pure sunshine melts the snow in late spring, even at high altitudes, and gives us wonderful days of paddling on Esera, Noguera Pallaresa and of course the king of the Pyrenees, the Rio Ara.

In November 2019 - the paddling virus was still considered the greatest danger of neglecting social contacts - Salome and I set off for Spain in a sprinter motorhome. In addition to soaking up the sun (proof: it doesn't work in the constant rain), correct cuisine (almost impossible to screw up, almost self-perpetuating), seeing something new (100 points, the Pyrenees are not the Balkans), there was paddling and checking the rivers (Rio, Rio, Rio, yeah! ) on the plan. Our tour ranged from Catalonia, along the southern side of the Pyrenees across the Basque Country to Cantabria. We were looking for an area to end the winter in February/March. We have found perhaps the best early summer area in southern Europe: Navarra and Aragon!

Between snow and sun

It wasn't always Mediterranean-mild. Rather, we had blowing snow on the Rio Esca - that's in Navarra, quite far to the west. But the days of high pressure weather on the Ara were a real dream. Blue water of every difficulty, an unspoilt landscape framed by gigantic mountain ranges. Even the Balkan Scheuer realized: We have to go there again!

Taratara! We are ready. The peaks of the Pyrenees lie deep in the snow, from May it gets warm, the Rios are then massive, we come as soon as the first wave is through. Oh, and: Pyrenees vs. Pandemics. Nobody knows who will win yet. There is only one solution: stay flexible. If possible, we will be there and look forward to going out with you and our Spanish friends.