Central Pyrenees / Aragon(2): Gèdre to Gavarnie

Stages P33 – P35

Gèdre (1030m) to Cabane D´Estaubé (1765m)

23/02/2020

Stage: P33

Map: French IGN 1/25,000 1748OT Gavarnie

Time: 4.25hrs (dept 08.15hrs / arrive 12.40)

Distance: 8.8km (ascent 967m / descent 215m)

Weather: Warm and sunny

Notes: A short and straightforward section. Leave the village on a footpath and climb steeply through the Bois de Coumely to approx 1650m. Then traverse a hillside passing several buildings before reaching Lac des Gloriettes (1680m). Pass the lake on the west side and follow a fairly level path for 2km to reach the hut.

Accommodation: Cabane D´Estaubé is small basic hut with space for 4-6 pax. There is a locked part and an open part. The entrance to the open part is on the north side.

Cabane D´Estaubé (1765m) to Refugio de Goriz (2200m)

(Including Monte Perdido 3348m ascent)

24/02/2020

Stage: P34

Maps: French IGN 1/25,000 1748OT Gavarnie & Editorial Alpina 1/25,000 Ordesa y Monte Perdido

Time: 9.20hrs (dept 08.20hrs / arrive 17.40)

Distance: 14.1km (ascent 1887m / descent 1458m)

Weather: Warm and sunny

Notes: A big day crossing a steep pass and climbing the 3rd highest peak in the Pyrenees. From the hut climb to the Brèche de Tuquerouye (2666m) following approximately the line of the summer footpath. This a popular area with climbers and skiers and there should be tracks. Descend to the south, crossing the frozen lake, and climb to the Col de Cilindro (3071m). The actual col is simple but there is a rock band c100m below that must be climbed to gain access to the upper slopes. Monto Perdido is a popular climb and there are normally footsteps indicating the best route. Descend easily to the hut.

Accommodation: Refugio de Goriz (2200m) is a staffed Refuge open during the ski season.

Alternative Accommodation: It is possible to split this stage by staying at the

Refuge de Tuquerouye (2668m) after approximately 3.5hrs

Refugio de Goriz (2200m) to Gavarnie (1495m)

25/02/2020

Stage: P35

Maps: French IGN 1/25,000 1748OT Gavarnie & Editorial Alpina 1/25,000 Ordesa y Monte Perdido

Time: 6.45hrs (dept 08.15hrs / arrive 15.00hrs)

Distance: 19.7km (ascent 891m / descent 1581m)

Weather: Overcast / unsettled

Notes: An interesting day in dramatic scenery. Leave the hut and head west. It is probably better to drop to the valley floor, rather than try to hold height and follow the line of the summer footpath. Cross the Collado de Millaris (2454m) and Collado del Descargador (2497m) and drop towards the lake before turning north towards the obvious feature of the Brèche de Roland (2807m). Pass through the Brèche and descend north passing the Refuge des Sarradets (2580m). The long traverse to Puerto Bujaruelo (c2300m) and Col de Tentes (2207m) will be preferable in most conditions to the alternative of descending to Cabane des Soldats (c2000m) and climbing to Col de Tentes (2207m). Follow the ski pistes to the ski station.

Accommodation: Les Granges de Holle Gavarnie is a road accessible CAF hut, open all year.

Alternative accommodation: There are several hotels in Gavarnie.

Resupply: We collected supplies of food, fuel, maps, batteries, etc for Section Seven in Gavarnie. There are several restaurants, ski shops and grocery stores.

Bad Weather/ Rest Day in Gavarnie

26/02/2020