SPECTACULAR SUMMITS

SPECTACULAR SUMMITS

Three big summits – hotel base in Luz St Sauveur

READY TO WALK ?

The Piméné (2801m), the Taillon (3114m) and the Vignemale (3298m) - these are our aims for the week!  From our original idea of climbing three 3000m summits in a week we have built this intense and challenging program. One of our chosen summits, the Piméné, is 2800m, but it has such an exceptional situation in the middle of the glacial cirques that it makes up for the missing metres. Each summit has its own particularity, and all have wonderful views!

The Piméné has a dramatic approach walk and is in a unique position looking into all three glacial cirques of the Mont Perdu World Heritage Area and way down the valley to Lourdes.

The Taillon, with its entry through the Breche de Roland, is on the Spanish border and gives views into both France and Spain.

Our grand finale is the Vignemale – we walk up to Baysellance Refuge for the night and set off the next morning with a high mountain guide across the glacier to reach the Vignemale summit.

This week of big climbs and spectacular scenery will hit the spot with those who relish a challenge, so reserve your place early. Please note that this trek is also quite suitable for friends/partners or those not too sure about completing all the summits – there is always the possibility of walking up to refuge together and staying at this base camp while part of the group makes the climb to the top.

• Three (almost) 3000m peaks in a week
• One day walk from Gavarnie
• Based in Luz St Sauveur

Comfortable hotel accommodation for five nights
• Two refuge nights
• Big views and a big experience all round

BUDGET

1250€pp*
*from 4p = discount of 50€pp

 

This price includes :

• 6 days guided walking with an international mountain leader

• 1 day with a high mountain guide for the ascent of the Vignemale

• 5 nights B&B hotel accommodation + 2 nights full board in refuges

• All picnic lunches

• Crampons and ice axe for the glacier

• Transfer from/to Lourdes

• All transport during the trip

BOOK NOW AT sian@pyrenees-mountains.com or +33(0)5 62 92 81 52

ITINERARY

DAY 1

We will organise a time for collection in Lourdes (either town centre or train station) and will drive from there straight to your hotel in Luz St Sauveur, which serves as the base for the week. Check gear, settle in and then we can discuss the plan for the week before you head for dinner.

DAY 2

A day walk to warm up – perhaps a smaller summit or up to a pass, we have the luxury of playing it by ear and seeing what the weather and snow conditions suggest.

DAY 3

We set off for our walk, up to the Espugettes Refuge via the balcony paths of the Gavarnie Cirque and the ‘Grand Cascade‘. Spectacular views and a wonderful introduction to the week. The refuge is one of the best, relatively calm and recently renovated. It has wonderful views onto the Breche de Roland, which you will reach later in the week.

DAY 4

Our first summit – the Piméné (2801m). We climb towards the Hourquette d’Alans and then diverge towards the ‘Petit Piméné‘. A good spot for a pause before the final assault on the Piméné proper. A slightly vertiginous last section provides a buzz before the big views of the summit. Lunch and then a long descent back to Gavarnie. Transfer back to Luz for a well earned shower, drinks and dinner.

DAY 5

We are up early and drive up to the border pass to start our walk through the Breche into Spain and on to either the Taillon (3144m) or the Casque (3007m). Both these are classic itineraries – we will decide the night before which one we will be able to do. Lunch on top before the descent back to Luz for the night.

DAY 6

Today is our approach walk up to the Vignemale. We head for the Baysellance Refuge, the highest in the Pyrenees at 2651m via the Lac de Gaube and the Oulettes Refuge.

DAY 7

Today is our climb to the Vignemale summit over the glacier. Breakfast very early and our high mountain guide will arrive early to set off. Once we arrive at the glacier we gonna have a briefing on the use of the crampons and ice axe before heading for the top. A great day and a super finale. Descent and return to Luz for a final dinner.

DAY 8

Transfer back to the Lourdes train station or airport.