They were “experienced and passionate about the mountains”. Two hikers, members and volunteer leaders of the association Hike Pleasures de Ramonville, near Toulouse, lost their lives on the Spanish side of the Pyrenees. Marc Sartor and Nicole Gillon were 65 and 69 respectively.
According to the Spanish daily El Pais, they were found lifeless on Wednesday by mountaineers near Lake Contraix, in the Boi valley, at around 2,500 meters above sea level and in an area where the nights can be particularly cool. The two victims were airlifted to a hospital in Barcelona in a state of extreme hypothermia. Despite the care provided, they did not survive the injuries caused by the cold.