Day 1. Pont d'Espagne - Refuge des Oulettes.

The less inspired hiker might use the chair-lifts to cover the first 300 metres height difference. The path along the Lac de Gaube to the Refuge (part of the GR10) is easy to follow. The Vignemale, dressed for the occasion in an ensemble of grey clouds, can already be seen from the Lac the Gaube.

A dedicated camping area is located in the immediate proximity of the refuge. It is used by those who exercise alpine techniques on the glacier, especially during weekends. The strong wind made us decide to "fortify" our tent by putting large boulders on the tent pegs. It appears to be a smart move, as the tent is hit by strong wind gusts during the night.

Day 2. Refuge des Oulettes - Hourquette d'Ossoue v.v.

Rain keeps us inside the tent for the first few hours of the day. In the afternoon we cross the Oulettes de Vignemale, fasten our crampons, and climb over the snow fields below the Glacier du Petit Vignemale to the Hourquette d'Ossoue. Unfortunately it is too late to go for an ascent of the Petit Vignemale.

Day 3. Refuge des Oulettes - Refuge Wallon.

Via the Haute Randonnée Pyrenéenne (HRP, well marked) we pass the Col de Mulets. Halfway the crampons have to be used. De trails reveal that many undertakes the ascent without crampons, sliding from rock to rock...

Traversing the slopes above the Rio Ara the Col d'Arratille is reached. Passing the half frozen lake d'Arratille, descending over snow fields to the Refuge de Wallon. We pitch our tent near the bridge, just before reaching the Refuge. The next day there appears to be an official camping area slightly beyond the Refuge.

Day 4. Refuge Wallon - Embalse de Campoplano.

The path to the Col de la Fache is obvious and easy to ascend. Especially the part between 2290 en 2500 m is lovely: a small valley, with gentians and marmots. Higher up the crampons have to be used again.

The summit of the Grande Fache is easily reached from the top.

The first part of the descent on the Spanish side is less easy to find. The IGN map indicates a track heading just between the two lakes. In reality it is much easier to make a traverse to the left of these lakes. Following the left bank of the Barranco de Campo Plano the reservoir is reached. Great camping spot!

Day 5. Embalse de Campoplano - Pont d'Espagne.

At 9 hr we leave for the de Port de la Peyre St. Martin. Big blocDe col is bezaaid met gigantische rotsblokken. Rechts aanhouden richting Col de Cambalès door een landschap van puinhellingen.

The first stages of the climb to the Col de Cambalès is done without crampons: by kicking little steps we proceed. But snow turns into ice, and the slope becomes increasingly steep... and as soon as we reach some boulders, we decide to use our crampons again.

The final part of the ascent we struggle with a steep slope covered with debris: every single step we loose half of it by sliding back in deep debris. Afterwards we discover that it had been wiser to crosse the snow field below the col: more to the left a number of convenient zig zags cover the final stages to the top.

As a reward we receive a splendid view of the the many Lacs de Cambalès. Descending through snow fields as long as possible, we stray to much to the south, and have to make our way through boulder fields to arrive at the path again.

Our plans to score a cola at the Refuge Wallon fail: the warden just neglects all his customers. Really pissed off, we get under our back packs again, and continue to Pont d'Espagne... where we arrive at a trip of 8 hours.