The genesis for Slow Pyrenees came about in April 2019 when, hiking above the 2070m Port de la Bonaigua, I made a bad step in deep snow and, unable to walk, had to be rescued by helicopter. A week later a surgeon inserted a metal plate in my fractured left knee cap but you know what they say about 'where there's no sense, there's no feeling', three months later I was back in the mountains. The pyschological impact of the accident was far greater than the physical damage. I experienced a profound crisis of ambulatory confidence, particularly when descending steep slopes. Even armed with a pair of hiking poles I edged downhill at a snail's pace, as if I were literally walking eggshells. The method I devised to resolve this potentially life-changing problem is quite simple and owes its efficacy to the age-old practice of zig-zagging uphill rather than making a straight, vertical and, to be honest with you, quite vulgar beeline for the ridge. To this end we take advantage of the numerous pistas forestales which ascend towards the heavens though a combination of long and gentle climbs along secure surfaces with occasional switchbacks around hairpin bends. There is, of course, a pay off in terms of increased distance covered but there really is no hurry. We have all day and dinner's not served till late.