How the Pyr’elles association releases speech and bodies in the mountains

A chocolatine, a sip of water and presto! Three mountaineers set off on the path of the tooth of Orlu, in Ariège. A half -hour hike leading to a summit located at 2222 m altitude. “We are more likely,” smiles Laura, 31, the supervisor of the day. But we always favor small groups, ideally 6 to 8 people, to develop mutual aid and sorority. ”

When she heard of the Pyr’elles association, Toulouse rushed: “I would like to become a mountain guide, it gives me the opportunity to supervise groups. I find it important to make the mountain more accessible to women. ” This is also what motivated Roxanne Laval to found Pyr’elles, in 2022. “I returned from Canada and, there, women find themselves a lot between them to practice outdoor activities. In the Pyrenees, I found that there was only one structure which offered hikes between women, in the Basque Country. And I did not find myself in mixed groups, not always benevolent in the face of effort, where sexist remarks on the level and the equipment bother me. These barriers prevent certain women from going in the mountains, ”says the 30 -year -old.

Confidence at the top

The success is immediate. The association has 75 members, and refuses requests each year. Sports people are recruited from Toulouse (Haute-Garonne) to Bayonne (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), and are aged 22 to 66, with various socio-professional profiles. Barbara, 38, is a trail coach (running in kind); She does not like to go alone in the mountains: “I have already had bad experiences,” she admits. I always want to walk the Pyrenees, but it is not easy to find motivated people to accompany me. »»

Julie, 23, in training to become an animal osteopath, approves: “There are few young people in hiking clubs near my home and my friends prefer football or the motorcycle. And as I am afraid of slowing down others, I feel more comfortable walking with other women, “she adds, while melted snow begins to fall. In the Pyr’elles cocoon, women take self -confidence. After several outings, some feel capable of venturing alone in the mountains. “We are surprised,” appreciates Laura by attacking a steep portion. Between women, we pay more attention to others, but we are not overprotection. »»

Between 60 and 80 outings are offered each year. In addition to hiking, these sportsmen can try mountain biking, climbing, canyoning, or fly fishing, snowshoeing or yoga. Pyr’elles also organizes weekends with bivouac and bicycle itinerants. These outings are breathing bubbles that come out of their daily lives.

During these nature breaks, empowerment rhymes with conviviality. “The link is easily created between women, and there may be less spirit of competition and pressure. Several members have become friends and see themselves outside the association, ”observes Laura as the summit approaches. The activities are organized in level groups and technical information (duration, difficulty, necessary equipment, etc.) is provided in advance. The idea is to calmly enjoy each outing, without worry of performance. This does not prevent themselves from outdoor: some sportsmen want to progress in mountaineering. Others aim to climb summits of 3000 m.

All generations

After two hours of walking, we are at the top of the famous tooth. Below, the Orlu nature reserve is emerging, wild. We descend to eat out of the wind and cross the road to a groundhog. Shortly after, a bearded gypatus flies over us. “We recognize him by his tail in diamond,” describes Julie, passionate about ornithology.

Each member brings his touch to the community. “We learn a lot from each other. Agnès, the dean of the association, has training in neuroscience. She offers her help to those who are dizzy, ”says Laura. Intergenerational sharing operates. Moreover, several members knew Pyr’elles thanks to their daughter. There is no age or sex to answer the call of the mountain.