UKC

Hi, any suggestions for a first trip to the Pyrenees. Two of us are off in early August and are keen to do some walking, take in some summits (nothing technical) and see some wildlife, wild camp as well. Avoiding the worst of the summer crowds would be great and we have an inkling the east may be the best for weather? Oh and what guidebooks would you recommend?

Thanks in advance. Eamonn

In reply to JJ Krammerhead III:

Wherever you end up, these sites are useful for non-technical summits:
http://wns.free.fr/randonnees/Pics.htm
http://philrando.free.fr/index.html

The "Le Guide Rando" series of books (see http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/en/randoeditions/f/ ) are also good.

All the above are in French, but have decent maps/diagrams.

In reply to JJ Krammerhead III:

Hi Eamonn. I will shortly be heading over for my fourth trip and I would heartily recommend going. I started in the east coast in December a few years ago and I have gone for a couple of late spring/summer visits since. I keep a blog of my visits and the links are here...http://howlingmist.blogspot.ie/2011/12/pyrenees-hike-december-2011-short-ho...
http://howlingmist.blogspot.ie/2013/06/a-pyrenean-adventure-june-2013.html
http://howlingmist.blogspot.ie/2014/06/the-pyrenees-2014-continuing-west-on...
If you have any queries or need advice of public transport etc feel free to contact me at smcaul10@gmail.com.
Stephen

In reply to JJ Krammerhead III:

Nothing technical!!!

What happened Eamonn???

In reply to goatee:

thanks Stephen, appreciate the help

In reply to steve taylor:

haha age still might have a big snowy thing to go at before I am totally clapped out, who knows!

In reply to Mark Bull:

thanks

In reply to JJ Krammerhead III:

August is a busy month for refuge access. Camping prohibited in the national Park (PNP). August can produce stormy weather so get going early in the day to finish b4 the storms. Take a look at hrp-essential.

In reply to LeeWood:
thanks

In reply to JJ Krammerhead III:
Here in the central French Pyrenees we have a nice balance between the wet Atlantic weather systems and the hot, dry Mediterranean climate. If you are looking at coming in early August, this area would be ideal as it shouldn't be as hot as further east along the Chain. There are masses of non-technical days out you can enjoy in the mountains above Luchon and interesting wildlife is guaranteed. Check out the circuits from the Hospice de France who also offer dormitory style accommodation which you can book in advance and superb food at very reasonable rate. You can book a bed in several guarded refuges in the area such as the refuge de Venasque http://www.refuge-venasque.fr/ Espingo http://refugedespingo.ffcam.fr/ Maupas http://refugedumaupas.ffcam.fr and Portillon http://refugeduportillon.ffcam.fr/

In reply to dinkypen:

Could you give me any info on current snow levels please. I will be heading from Couflens to your area,
Stephen

In reply to JJ Krammerhead III:

thanks again all, come to think of it, a little scrambling might be fun

In reply to goatee:


Just had a small cold patch pass though over the last week which left a dusting down to about 2000 or just lower, but it's not lasting long at that level.
Prior to that was a period of very good dry, warm weather with some foehn winds thrown in for good measure - that stripped quite a bit of the snow at the lower levels.

That applies to Ariege & though to the Haute Garonne here.
A little more snow at each level further west in the Haute Pyrenees.

May be useful...
http://www.meteofrance.com/previsions-meteo-montagne/neige/pyrenees/monp007...

Cheers, 'Mr Dinkypen'.

In reply to JJ Krammerhead III:

Thanks for your help folks! We have settled on Ordesa National Park, it looks incredible!!