1998: Vignemale, Marcadau
In June 1998 we left Pont d'Espagne for the second time. As in 1996, Paulien joins us. This journey was slightly more difficult than the previous one (partly outside the paths). Especially the routes on day 2,3 and 6 require stamina and orientation skills.
Day 1. Pont d'Espagne - Lacs de l'Embarrat (4-5 hrs).
Leaving the parkinglot, head along the Chalet du Clot. Take the path along the right bank of the Marcadau. The scenery somehow resembles Yosemite Park. Take the path uphill near the Pont du Cayan. After the forest, and a number of unexpected turns, one reaches the first of the Lacs de l'Embarrat. A fine camping spot can be found on the opposite side of the lake.
Day 2. Lacs de l'Embarrat - Riu de Pic Arrouy (7 hrs).
Again a beautiful, hot day. Head along the Lacs de l'Embarrat to the Lac du Pourtet. On this saturday, many an angler can be seen trying his luck in one of the lakes. The Lac du Pourtet is still frozen in June. We consider walking over the col le Pourtet (wild), or continuing off-track along the Lac de Bassia. The latter alternative is pursued.
Leave the path by turning right, just before arriving at Lac Nère. We didn't go directly to the Lac de Bassia, but instead entered a small valley, just north west of it. Leave the valley over a col (2529m) to arrive above the Lac de Bassia. Traverse over the snowfields north of Lac de Bassia, to a col between Pic de Bernat Barrau and Soum de Bassia.
Descend through a wide couloir to the valley of the Riu de Pic de Arrouy. Halfway it becomes steep, I loose my balance, and slide downhill with my 18 kg backpack. Fortunately I manage to stop myself from sliding, using my ice axe, but my right leg and elbow are bruced in such a way, that I can't sleep on them during the rest of the tour.
We decide that we've done enough for the day, and camp below Lac Bassia Noir, just above a tiny lake. In the afternoon we listen to the World Champion Soccer match Holland - South Korea (5-0), in the evening we watch the chamoix on the slopes of the Pic du Pourtet.
Day 3. Riu de Pic Arrouy - Embalse de Campoplano (7 hrs).
We climb to the Lac Bassia Noir, and pass it on the right. Next we stroll along two tiny lakes, just north of it. From the last lake we use compass and altimeter to follow the 2100 m contour south east, later to the south. In this way we reach the path to Lacs de Houns de Heche.
From this lake continue over big boulders and a snow field to the Pourtet de Heche. Note: the Pourtet de Heche is the lowest point in the col, while the correct path runs a little higher, and more to the left.
The descent is tricky, following a gully filled with debris. Passing lower slopes of the Col de Cambales we arrive at the Port de la Peyre St.Martin. We have to take off our shoes in order to cross the Barranco de Campoplano, and camp near the lake of the same name.
Day 4. Embalse de Campoplano - Refuge Wallon (4-5 hrs).
A short hike, after two long days. Neat ascent along the Barranco Campoplano to the Col de la Fache. In June, even the upper part is covered with snow. Crampons are useful on the steepest parts between 2400 and 2500 m.
"Easy down the road" to Ref. Wallon.
Day 5. Refuge Wallon - Embalse de Bramatuero (4-5 hrs)
In about 2.5 to 3 hrs to the Port de Marcadau. A simple hike. The descent is slightly more challenging. Having passed a little lake directly below the Port, leave the Barranco del Canal, taking the path heading to right over the rocks (cairns at odd intervals). After a little bit of puzzle, the path downward becomes more and more obvious.
Once a clear path to the Bachimano reservoir is reached, one sees, in the direction of the Bramatuero reservoir, a flat area, crossed by a little brook. An ideal spot for a camp, which can be reached by timely leaving the path to Bachimano.
Day 6. Embalse de Bramatuero - Rio Ara (8 hrs)
From the camping spot, a passage, left of most of the rocks, can be seen heading in the direction of the Bramatuero lake. Beyond these rocks one has to manage a crossing of the wild Barranco del Canal. Continue to arrive at the feet of the dam of the reservoir. We were fortunate to find an old plank helping us to cross the river below the dam. At the other side, a little higher, over the rocks, a path marked with cairns can be found.
At the other end of the lower Bramatuero lake the paths bends to the left. A very well engineered and kept path rises over the slopes below the Crete de Peterneille to the dam of the higher Bramatuero lake.
Quite fatiguing the route continues over debris covered slopes north of the Embalse Bramatuero Superior. Finally, descend a little, crossing the valley between the Embalse Bramatuero Superior, and another, even higher lake, heading for the Collado del Letrero.
Be cautious when descending the Collado del Leterro: in june it runs over a steep snow field, in july it is possibly all boulders and slippery debris here. One might consider to climb over the rocks on the right (stay close to the snow field), up to the point where one can cross the snow to arrive at a slope covered with debris. Continue over debris and grassy slopes to the Rio Ara. Head north through the valley, untill it ends in a cirque between the Col d'Arratille and the Col de Mulets.
Day 7. Rio Ara - Pont d'Espagne (4.5 hrs)
Pick up the red/white marks of the HRP at the head of the valley, leading to the Col de Mulets. Occasionally some problems with loose rock. Descend to the Ref. des Oulettes. Fine views on the North Face of the Vignemale.
Continue along the GR10 to Pont d'Espagne.