UKC

Stuck in Chamonix right now in the pouring rain and the forecast is bad for the next week or so. Thinking of heading to the Pyrenees but never been before and have no knowledge of the area. We are looking for mountaineering routes on rock, snow and ice. Where should we be going? Thanks Jay

In reply to Jaylaz:


Other parts of the Alps.

In reply to felt:
You could be right there...

Jaylaz, most folk new to the Pyrenees go to the Vignemale region but realistically here won't be a lot of snow and ice to go round. Lovely hills - but not the Alps. No shortage of things to do though.

b

In reply to Jaylaz:

Thanks for the replies, have looked at other Alps regions and much the same weather. Does the Pyrenees offer long mountaineering rock routes to its high peaks?

In reply to Jaylaz:

Pic du Midi d'Ossau has plenty of rock routes..

In reply to Jaylaz:
Here are a few ideas, you'll probably be able to pick these guidebooks up in Au Vieux Campeur:

http://www.camptocamp.org/books/135314/fr/sommets-des-pyrenees-les-plus-bel...
http://www.camptocamp.org/books/172242/fr/les-pyrenees-les-100-plus-belles-...
http://www.camptocamp.org/books/344365/fr/pyrenees-les-plus-belles-courses

In reply to Jaylaz:

Thanks everyone for the advice and ideas. Think we are going to head for Lourdes and see what's there.

In reply to Jaylaz:

Tour de France tv showed downpours in south west France today. Think about southern end of the alps, south of the Ecrins, almost Haute Provence, many 3000m peaks along the Italian border giving mountaineering type ascents.

In reply to Jaylaz:

Don't go to lourdes! Like a blackpool for pilgrims. Pau is ok for a city/ big town. Lourdes is awful.

In reply to Jaylaz:

Just looked at La Chaine Meteo and there is a 'perturbation tres dynamique' crossing France at the moment. My suggestion was based on a guidebook 3000m sans frontieres which I think i bought in Embrun or Gap which lists 110 peaks in the southern alps over 3000m. Should keep you busy for a couple of weeks.

In reply to Jaylaz:


fair enough, but don't go just for some hypothetical weather improvements
i like this for long range weather..
http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=jetstream

In reply to Jaylaz:

http://www.camptocamp.org/books/344365/fr/pyrenees-les-plus-belles-courses

This is the one to get, you could also consider the Ecrins staying at Ailfroide.

In reply to Jaylaz:

I'm with jaylaz in Chamonix. We know nothing about Pyrenees area and struggling to find a guide book. We're going to try to find one again tomorrow but don't want to be wasting time finding a book and picking a route when we get there. We're committed to going to the area due to subsequent travel plans. Just need some advice on a good valley base to aim for. Any route recommendations welcome.

In reply to Alan.T:

Don't go to Lourdes, pass by & head towards Gavarnie, or go to Cautaret, or Pic du Midi -Lourdes is horrible

In reply to Jaylaz:


Sounds like an awful plan !

Seriously, if you pass through Toulouse, 'Au Vieux Campeur' at Labege has an excellent selection of books. The Meridien Lerclerc Hypermarket at Tarbes ( Ibos) also has good a choice. Get the Leclerc card and get 10% off all marchandise in the Leclerc Sport shop ( everything for climbing/walking/camping ).

As some kind soul already pointed out, the Pyrénées are not the Alps ! However, you can do things in one day that you often couldn't do in the
Alps ! Climbs of 600m on the Pic de Midi d'Ossau. Likewise in the Luchon area on the Quayrat and Spijioles.

If you must visit Lourdes, be sure to light a candle and pray for good weather !

In reply to Jaylaz:

Here's my personal recommendation ;


http://www.camptocamp.org/routes/55021/fr/mont-perdu-eperon-des-esparrets


A bivouac on the Balcon de Pineta is unforgettable. The Refuge de Tuquerouye
can also be used, but is often crowded.