Central Pyrenees / Béarnaises : Gavarnie to Col du Pourtalet
Stages P36 – P39
Gavarnie (1495m) to Refuge Bayssellance (2651m)
27/02/2020
Stage: P36
Map: French IGN 1/25,000 1748OT Gavarnie
Time: 7.20hrs (dept 08.10hrs / arrive 15.30hrs)
Distance: 13.8km (ascent 1447m / descent 215m)
Weather: overcast at first, becoming snowfall and wind
Notes: This route is only possible in winter with stable snow conditions and low avalanche risk. Follow the road by foot or ski to the Barrage d’Ossoue (1850m). If possible follow the summer footpath (GR10) on the west side of the valley to avoid the first waterfall. From ‘le pont de neige’ there is the option to continue on the summer footpath or follow the line of the gully (Barrancoue D’ossoue) if it is blocked with snow.
Accommodation: Refuge Bayssellance (2651m) is a CAF Refuge with an excellent winter room with solar lights and a wood stove.
Alternative Accommodation: Cabane de Milhas (1700m) and Cabane de (Ossoue 1860m) are both small basic cabanes with space for 4 pax.
Refuge Bayssellance (2651m) to Refuge Wallon (1865m)
28/02/2020
Stage: P37
Map: French IGN 1/25,000 1647OT Vignemale
Time: 5.15hrs (dept 08.45hrs / arrive 14.00hrs)
Distance: 12.6km (ascent 748m / descent 1527m)
Weather: overnight wind & snow, clearing to give a slightly overcast day.
Notes: A fairly straightforward day passing under the north face of the Vignmale. From the hut ascend a short distance on easy ground to the Hourquette d’Ossoue (2734m). Traverse northwards to pt2435m, then descend west to Refuge Oulettes de Gaube. Climb west to Col des Mullets (2591m) then make a descending traverse, before climbing the Col d’Arratille (2528m). A fairly easy descent leads to Ref. Wallon. This is all on ski routes marked on the IGN map.
Accommodation: Ref. Wallon is normally open in the ski season, but was closed for renovation in 2020. It has a reasonable winter room.
Alternate accommodation: Refuge Oulettes de Gaube (c2150m) is a short distance from the Refuge Bayssellance and gives an option to split the sections differently. It is a large Refuge normally open in the later part of the ski season from early March.
Refuge Wallon (1865m) to Pont d’Espagne (1500m)
29/02/2020
Stage: P37X
Map: IGN 1/25,000 1647OT Vignemale
Time: 2.35hrs (dept 08.00hrs / arrive 10.35)
Distance: 8.1km (ascent 283m / descent 647m)
Weather: Overcast with light rain
Notes: This section was not on our planned route. We retreated to Cauterets to avoid incoming bad weather.
Bad Weather - 8 Day Delay in Cauterets
01/03/2020 - 08/03/2020
Cauterets/ Pont d’Espagne (1500m) to Refuge Wallon (1865m)
09/03/2020
Stage: P37X - return
Time 2.30hrs (dept 09.50 / arrive 12.20)
Distance 8.1km (ascent 640m / descent 280m)
Weather: Light rain in morning, clearing in afternoon
Notes: This section was not on our planned route. Return from Cauterets to Ref. Wallon after period of bad weather.
Refuge Wallon (1865m) to Refuge Larribet (2072m)
10/03/2020
Stage: P38
Map: IGN 1/25,000 1647OT Vignemale
Time: 8.15hrs (dept 08.10hrs / arrive 16.25hrs)
Distance: 19.4km (ascent 1672m / descent 1475m)
Weather: warm and slightly overcast
Notes: A fairly long stage with three climbs. Climb west to the Col de Fache (2664m) and descend west to the lake at Campo Plano (c2150m). Turn north and climb to the Port le Peyre St Martin (2298m). Descend the valley northwards to pt 1570m then turn west and climb to the hut.
Accommodation: Refuge Larribet is a comfortable CAF Refuge with a good winter room. Woodstove, mattresses and blankets.
Alternative Accommodation: There is a small basic cabin at Doumblas (1570m) before the final ascent to the Larribet hut.
A more southerly route exists via the Refugio Respomuso (2150m). However this Refuge is closed in winter and has no winter room, so this is not an attractive option.
Refuge Larribet (2072m) to Col du Pourtalet (1795m)
11/03/2020
Stage: P39
Map: French IGN 1/25,000 1647OT Vignemale
Time: 8.35hrs (dept 08.10 / arrive 16.45)
Distance: 18.6km (ascent 1351m / descent 1619m)
Weather: sunny and very warm
Notes: A long stage with some fairly technical ground. Climb from the hut to the Port de Lavedan (2612m). The ski route shown on the IGN map is helpful. The easiest crossing point is slightly north and a bit higher than the lowest point. The traverse to Col du Palas (2517m) should be straightforward. Descend past the Refuge D'arrémoulit towards Lac d’Artouste before climbing to Col d’Arrious (2252m). Descend the valley to Soques. Follow the road or combination of footpath and road to Col du Pourtalet.
Accommodation: There is a single hotel at Col du Pourtalet.
Alternative accommodation: Refuge D'arrémoulit is a medium-sized CAF hut with space for 30 pax. It is reported to have winter access and blankets.
Cabane Du Caillou de Soques (1392m) is a small basic stone hut with space for 4 pax on a concrete floor. It is located close to the D934 road.
Alternative route: It is possible to overnight at Soques and continue the following day to Refuge Pombie. From here there are several obvious routes onwards to Col du Somport.
Supply options: There are no shops at Col du Pourtalet, but it possible to send a package to the hotel by post.
