{"id":94,"date":"2017-04-25T22:08:49","date_gmt":"2017-04-25T20:08:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lonepeakbagger.com\/?p=94"},"modified":"2020-04-19T13:52:00","modified_gmt":"2020-04-19T11:52:00","slug":"pique-rouge-de-bassies-juste-fabuleux","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lonepeakbagger.com\/en\/index.php\/2017\/04\/25\/pique-rouge-de-bassies-juste-fabuleux\/","title":{"rendered":"PIQUE ROUGE DE BASSIES: JUST AWESOME !!"},"content":{"rendered":"

For my first article, I will take you for a walk in the East-Central Pyrenees, back to a (short) time when I\u00a0was just thinking about doing my own thing. At the time, I could only go walking on week-ends or holidays, as I was spending the week working in an office -but that was before I started this blog…<\/p>\n

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Looking at the Mont Garias (2006m) from the beginning of the walk, along the GR10.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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A LATE START, BUT\u00a0A PROMISING ROUTE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Last summer, on a glorious Sunday, I decided to go and explore a part of the Pyrenees called Haute-Ari\u00e8ge. Apart from the Pic des Trois Seigneurs (2199m), I had not had the opportunity to climb any high summit in this area yet. The main local peaks -Pique d’Estats (3143m),\u00a0 Mont Valier (2838m), Pic de Mauberm\u00e9 (2880m), etc…- are attractive for sure, but two days would be needed to reach them. I therefore opted for the\u00a0Pique Rouge de Bassi\u00e8s (2676m), which is much more accessible and thus doable on a single day; quite a challenge due to\u00a0the substantial ascent though. There are several possible starting points. I made my mind for the car park\u00a0at la Coumebi\u00e8re (ca. 1400m), along the D8f, the road which winds up its way from the village of Aulus-les-Bains to the Col d’Agn\u00e8s.<\/p>\n

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The yellow marks can be followed all the way up to the Col de las Fouz\u00e8s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Living only about 1h30 driving distance from the first slopes of the Central Pyrenees certainly is an advantage, as I can easily have\u00a0a day trip to enjoy some\u00a0summiteering there. But when it comes to reach some further parts of the range, this is another story. After a late start due to a late awakening, I found myself stuck in a traffic jam in the town of St-Girons. Sure I might have fancied staying for the local music festival, but I had something else in mind that day. After a half-an-hour detour which added to the already long drive, here I am at the start of my walk. It is already 11.45am, but there is still plenty of time left and the weather is fantastic.<\/p>\n

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The tiny Etang de Labant is an ideal spot for a family picnic.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I have to park alongside the road as the car park at\u00a0la Coumebi\u00e8re is packed. The walk starts along the famous GR10 marked trail, which I follow in a SE direction for a few hundred metres before taking a\u00a0right turn. The well-trodden path crosses a bit\u00a0of forestry until it reaches the ancient\u00a0Mines des Argenti\u00e8res. Not much time to linger, unfortunately… After the mines, the ground levels, and after about half-an-hour, I reach the\u00a0Etang de Labant (1597m) where a few walkers stopped to enjoy a picnic. The path then winds up its way through another bit of forestry in a SSW, then W direction before veering SE. A first surprise awaits here. The path now follows a shoulder and as it comes out of the forest suddenly offers fantastic views to the S, across the valley over the rocky ridge which links the Pic de Puntussan (2682m)\u00a0and the Pique Rouge de Bassi\u00e8s (2676m, not yet visible), as well as their respective Northern ridges.<\/p>\n

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The first surprise awaits as one heads out of the forest.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The ridge to follow to reach the top is the one to the left of the picture.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back, the views do not deceive either.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

REACHING THE MAIN RIDGE<\/strong><\/p>\n

I make my way on the narrow path which runs along the steep, grassy slopes of Les Fouzes. The panoramic views become\u00a0more and more beautiful despite the modest gain of height. Absorbed by the scenery, I slip stupidly and scratch one knee. Nothing serious, nevertheless it has the unexpected\u00a0effect of brutally stopping me in my progress. Indeed, after a few minutes’ stop to clean my scratches, I find it hard to get back to finding a proper pace. The weather is getting hot, I have only reached the 1750m contour and there is still a long way to go to the top. I find some motivation imagining the views from the main ridge.<\/p>\n

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The Col de las Fouz\u00e8s (1944m, left) and the Pic des Planes (2063m, centre), first summit of the day.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Another look back, with the path hardly visible.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a while, the ground gets steeper at last and the path becomes a bit more tricky. When I reach the\u00a0col de las Fouz\u00e8s (1944m), which links the\u00a0Pic de Cabanatous (2053m) and the Pic des Planes (2063m), I stand amazed as the views open dramatically to the E over the\u00a0Etangs (lakes) de Bassi\u00e8s below and numerous ridges around these and in the distance.<\/p>\n

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Reaching the Col de las Fouz\u00e8s (1944m) and looking N to the Pic de Cabanatous (2053m) and the orri (stone shelter).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking down to the beautiful, deep blue Etangs de Bassi\u00e8s and the eponymous refuge from the col, with the Pique d’Endron (2472m) in the right background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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About 50m on my left, a couple of walkers pass by the orri (stone shelter). I cannot stop\u00a0taking photos, my attention being mostly focused on the deep blue lakes below. I watch\u00a0the GR10 winding\u00a0along them from the Refuge de Bassi\u00e8s and disappearing down towards the Vicdessos Valley and the car park at Massada, the other main starting point for the\u00a0Pique Rouge de Bassi\u00e8s, which can be seen for the first time of the day !!<\/p>\n

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Zoom on the Etangs de Bassi\u00e8s, dominated by the round-shaped Pic du Far (1925m) to the E.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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S of the lakes, a sharp ridge culminates at the Cap de Fum (2463m).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Pique Rouge de Bassi\u00e8s (2676m) visible at last, here from the beginning of the ascent up the Pic des Planes (2063m).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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One last zoom on the Etangs de Bassi\u00e8s, taken on the way up the Pic des Planes.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A quick, enjoyable ascent leads me on top of the\u00a0Pic des Planes (2063m), where I decide to stop to enjoy the views and\u00a0a well-deserved snack, also taking a glimpse of what comes next.<\/p>\n

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Looking back NE from the summit of the Pic des Planes (2063m).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Nice views to the NW as well. In the low centre of the pic, the ridge I followed at the beginning of the ascent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking S: and here what comes next !!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The summit of the Pic des Planes (2063m) and the views to the SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After a quick descent down to the Col de Morech (2024m), the path stretches over grassy terrain in a S, then SSW direction. After\u00a0the minor top of the Cot de Morech (2145m), the terrain becomes much more uneven and demanding. There is still a distance of about 3km with some 500m ascent left. The path sticks to the edge of the ridge, with sheer drops to the W, before contouring some huge rocky outcrops from the left. A few vultures hover over the sharp Pic des Fouzi\u00e8s (2281m). A long rocky ridge forms a large coum to the left.<\/p>\n

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A few vultures taking the air over the Pic des Fouzi\u00e8s (2281m).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Zoom on the dramatic W cliffs of the Pic des Fouzi\u00e8s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The huge coum to the SE.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

THE TOUGH, FINAL PULL-UP…<\/strong><\/p>\n

As I gain height, the ground becomes more rocky. The path meets another path right above the\u00a0Etangs des Lavants de l’Escale and then disappears among the boulders that litter the E slopes of the Pic de Caumale (2523m). The going across\u00a0these boulders is pretty tough and I am exhausted. And it is 4.00pm already.<\/p>\n

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Rough terrain on the last part of the route.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Zoom on the Pique Rouge de Bassi\u00e8s (2676m, left) and the Pic de Caumale (2523m, right).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But nothing can stop me now. The weather is still brilliant and I just have to\u00a0give\u00a0everything in the final pull-up. I need to take a breather every 20m or so, but I am getting there…<\/p>\n

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Hikers standing at the top of the Pique Rouge de Bassi\u00e8s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Looking back to the N.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The knife’s edge ar\u00eate of the Pic de Belcaire (2657m, centre right), just E of the Pique Rouge de Bassi\u00e8s.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The tough finish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

…AND FINALLY, THE\u00a0ULTIMATE REWARD !!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here I am standing at the top !! What a fantastic peak\u00a0!! How could I describe what a peak-bagger feels when he reaches such a summit ? I would say the emotion is proportional both to the views and the difficulty. And that day, I must say it was huge. The 360\u00b0 vista from up there is absolutely breathtaking !!<\/p>\n

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The summit cairn with the Pic de Belcaire (2657m) to the right.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Breathtaking views over the Pic de Montcalm (3077m),\u00a0the Pique d’Estats (3143m) and\u00a0the Pic du Port de Sullo (3072m) to the S.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Zoom on the +3000m.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As I am still trying to catch my breath, a fell-runner appears near the summit cairn, stops for a drink and disappears in the minute.\u00a0Impressive… I take dozens of photos. In the distance to the S, the Pic de Montcalm (3077m) and the Pic du Port de Sullo (3072m) stand on each side of the Pique d’Estats (3143m), the highest point in Ari\u00e8ge. All around me, lines and lines of sharp, rocky ridges leave me breathless. I feel I am just a tiny human being in this immensity, and every look I take around is filled with wonder and gratefulness towards Mother Nature for having letting me reach this summit, with also probably the secret prayer to keep me safe on the descent so I can tell everyone -with photos- how beautiful it was\u00a0up there. And this is why I like walking on my own: I feel I am fully immersed in nature and become part of the landscape somehow, and through the effort required and the delightful views offered, find myself filled with the humility and wisdom that today’s world lacks so much. The mountains bring us back to our true dimension…<\/p>\n

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The sharp Puntussan ridge to the SW.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lines and lines of mountains to the W.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

THE NEVER-ENDING DESCENT<\/strong><\/p>\n

I find out the true summit is actually just a few dozen meters from the cairn. Time to sit down for a snack and some refreshment. An alpine accentor (Prunella collaris) flutters around me. This is my first encounter with this species -which I will only identify with certainty on my return home- and another highlight of the day.<\/p>\n

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Alpine accentor (Prunella collaris).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Enjoying the beautiful views to the N at the beginning of the descent, with the Pic des Trois Seigneurs (2199m) in the background.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It is now 5.45pm and high time to get back to the car. After a good 30 minutes, I meet another hill-walker who is settling for the night. We chat for about 15 minutes and then I am back on the shady track. Just before the Cot de Morech, I am happy to be back in the late afternoon sunshine. Delightful lines of blue ridges line up\u00a0to the W, with the prominent\u00a0Mont Valier (2838m) in the background. The rest of the descent keeps following\u00a0the same route as the ascent and just seems\u00a0never-ending, although nice and rather easy-going. By the time I reach the car, it is already 8.30pm, i.e. about one hour before nightfall. What a fantastic day out !!<\/p>\n

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When the mountains turn blue…<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

THE ROUTE<\/strong><\/p>\n

Distance: ca.\u00a016.5km; ascent: ca.\u00a01400m; duration: 8h45.<\/em><\/p>\n

Difficulties: quite a long haul, but the climbing is rather gradual. The last half of the route is harder-going and orientation can be an issue, especially on the last 1.5km, in case of low visibility. Carefully check the weather forecast (beware of thunderstorms !!) and check the snow level (which may require some special equipment and competences which I do not have myself as for today), even in summer.<\/em><\/p>\n\r\n\t\t

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