First part of Petit vignemale

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stuartbutler

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Trail stats

Distance: 4.14 mi
Elevation gain: 3,048 ft
Technical difficulty: Moderate
Elevation loss: 390 ft
Max elevation: 8,707 ft
TrailRank: 29
Min elevation: 5,983 ft
Trail type: One Way

Moving time: one hour 49 minutes
Time: 2 hours 53 minutes
Coordinates: 1229
Uploaded: July 25, 2021
Recorded: July 2021

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near Gavarnie, Occitanie (France)

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Trail photos

Itinerary description

Walk to refuge on day one before climbing summit

Waypoints

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From carpark at end of horrid bumpy road by damn wall walk west past damn and lake

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The path which is gr10 passes right north side if lake and up along a flat valley with imposing mountains slopes all around

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Fields of irises in summer

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After 20 min cross a footbridge nr head of valley.the path starts rising up north flank of frontier mountains.

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Path runs up past a powerful waterfall forming head of valley

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45min from start find yourself direct above waterfall with a stunning view east toward the Gavarnie mountains

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Hr from start at 2060m cross pont de neige

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The path continue a moderate climb where near permanent ice hangs year round as glacial remeneats yr round. Listen out for frequent marmot alarm calls and be constantly awed by the drama of the high mountain setting

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Creating a small ridge after hr 30 reveals a meeting of streams and two waterfalls crashing out of glaciers higher up. The path flattens momentarily and makes a sweeping bend to the right north before a long steep hard climb

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Cross stream fed by more big falls

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About 2hrs from start and altitude of 2300m reach a signed fork. Left branch for refuge 45min away right for col Des gentianes 1.30 and refuge estom 4.30. from here u start to get first glimpses of mighty glacier of vignemale beyond the steep slopes valley head u r now in.

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Bend around south at 2350m for a full view of glaciers on NE

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At 2410 and 30min before refuge is first of caves the nobleman lived in. Great view down valley

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There's a junction by these caves. Take right main fork still rising upwards. Other to climb main vignemale and probably many climbers camped out round here. Climbing main peak is a serious endeavor for real mountaineers

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15min later go right at this sign. Tmrw it's left to glacier

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The views over glacier and across valley to Gavarnie and Mt perdu become more fab with every step

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Round another corner into a valley of res scree and refuge appears just up ahead

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3hrs 10 from start roll up to refuge

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