Juan Mari Feliu Dord, mountaineering pioneer, dies at 84

Juan Mari Feliu Dord, a prominent figure in Navarrese mountaineering and Basque political activism, has passed away at the age of 84.

Feliu was a pioneer in modern mountaineering, with a career spanning over six decades. His achievements included participating in a 1966 expedition to the Límite de San Martín that set a world depth record, and a 1967 expedition to the Peruvian Andes. He served as president of the Navarre Mountain Federation during two terms and was the hiking director for the Spanish Federation of Mountain and Climbing Sports from 1992 to 2005. An accomplished author, he published more than 40 books, including the influential 'Guía de Montes de Navarra'.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Feliu was deeply involved in Basque politics and anti-Francoist activism. He faced imprisonment following a 1967 expedition where he took responsibility for displaying the ikurriña flag in the Andes. His political trajectory included involvement with EGI, EA, and EH Bildu, eventually serving as a councilor in Uharte. He also contributed significantly to the preservation of political history through donations to the Contemporary Archive of Navarre.