Tragic Discovery in the Pyrenees
The body of renowned Catalan mountaineer Gerard Olivé was discovered on Saturday at approximately 1:30 p.m. in the Salenques valley, located in the municipality of Montanuy, Huesca. The Civil Guard reported that Olivé’s death was caused by a fatal fall from the top of the Salenques ridge.
Circumstances Surrounding the Incident
Olivé, a 41-year-old native of Tivissa, was last seen on December 31 in the Coronas Refuge area before embarking on his ascent of Aneto. His disappearance was reported by a family member on January 2, prompting a search operation by the Huesca Civil Guard.
Search and Rescue Efforts
The search for Olivé involved a collaborative effort between the GREIM of Benasque and the Huesca Air Unit. After locating his body, it was evacuated and transported by aircraft to the Benasque helipad, where funeral services were waiting to transfer him to the Institute of Legal Medicine of Aragon in Zaragoza.
A Passion for Extreme Bivouacs
Olivé was an experienced mountaineer with a passion for extreme bivouacs. He had completed several notable bivouacs, including one where he spent the night hanging in a hammock on the Salenques Ridge, which gained significant attention on social media. Olivé described himself as an “extreme bivouac lover” on Instagram, where he shared his adventures and experiences.