News Letter
Welcome to our news letter for the 2007 season
The season kicked off to a good start with temperatures into the forties and plenty of sunshine but it was not long before we heard that the western Pyrenees was having quite a lot of rain (more later) this helped us to decide quite early on that we would keep ourselves over to the eastern side of the range and hopefully take advantage of the Mediterranean’s influence.
Our activities took in the usual Luchon area as well as taking groups from the Vallee du Biros to the Vallee du Vicdessos and then on around to Spain to the Vall de Cardos.
As well as plenty of walking in the lower reaches, such as the superb 1500m ridge across the Sommet du Cournudere part of the tremendous Tour des Tois Vallees, we also had some wonderful summit days.
A two day expedition took us to Pic de Montcalm (3077m) and Pica d’ Estats (3143m) after a particularly cold night spent camping at L’Etang de Pinet where morning brought a frozen lake! This after the previous day that had been in the late 30’s fortunately the summit day soon warmed up and we were back to shorts and t shirts.
Another two day ascent took us up Pic de Mauberme (2880m) via the chemin des mines, on the first nights camp we were treated to one the best sunsets I have ever seen, with views as far as the Pic du Midi to the east. The following day we descended via the Chemin des Pastous (pastous is the name given to the Pyrenean sheep dog) and as the name suggests we had a close encounter with several which alarmed a few guests but they are harmless as long as you do not pose a threat they just bark a lot very close to your ankles!!
It was on the ascent of Tuc de Certascan (2853m) from the Spanish side via the Vall de Cardos that we met a couple of people doing the HRP, they informed us of the bad weather that the western Pyrenees was having, in the Cirque de Gavarnie paths had been washed away and many streams had become impassable and they had been forced into long detours to avoid dangerous areas. Fortunately we had escaped it all. However, the following day we had an unusually cloudy summit but as we descended the cloud lifted to give us tremendous views back up to the previously hidden summit of Tuc de Certascan.
The ascent of Mont Valier (2838m) gave us tremendous views particularly of the two lakes opposite, Etang Rond and Etang Long and the descent took us along the Chemin de la Liberte which was used by local mountain guides during the war to help partisans and downed British airmen escape to Spain. The new visitors centre in Saint Girons which commemorates the mountain guides achievements is well worth a visit.
We hope this newsletter is useful in informing you of the sorts of things we get up to and if you feel it’s the type of trip you would enjoy please get in touch to discuss your requirements.
Robin and Sarah