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Vignemale is a mythical mountain's summit of the Pyrenees, the peak long, rises 3298 meters. The altitude makes it the fourth highest mountain in the Pyrenees after Aneto the Possets and Mount Perdido. It is also the highest peak of the French chain.

Summit: 3298 m
Departure: 1840 m
Elevation: 1500 m
Distance: 14.5 km round trip
technical difficulties: top side AD. Crossing the glacier requires crampons.

Time: between 7 and 11 h depending fitness.

Access to start: Go to Gavarnie and take direction from the dam Ossoue after few kilometers the road gives way to a trail that climbs to the foot of the dam to 1840 meters.

Since the dam, follow the GR10 along the lake on his right, then cross a stone bridge. The mounted begins, there is immediately a snow bridge and then crossed the path clear up yaw. Skip to the caves of Bellevue (2378 m) and then leave the GR10 to 2550 and fork on the trail that climbs to the glacier Ossoue through a swivel.

Once on the glacier it is customary to put his studs some topo recount of crevasses at the feet of the glacier, but they have disappeared. During the climb the glacier was great, the cracks were visible and therefore safe. It should take precautions in case of snow and no trace (Left tying the most about).

The slope of the glacier begins stiffly, it must target the left side of the glacier. Then, once the slope more gentle and Long Pic to cover it.

Shoes spikes at the first rock, then climb by close attention to rockfall. The summit offers a splendid panorama on the channel including the Cirque de Gavarnie and Balaitous, the overhang is impressive valley Gaube.

The descent via the same route. Take care again, when the descent of the Pique Long, has not sent the stone below.

Thank you to Francis, Yves-Marie and Yoann for climbing.

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The Mont Valier is considered one of the most beautiful peak of the Ariege. Even if it does not fit into the group of "3000", slender appearance and location of the eccentric main chain, makes it a unique perspective.

Summit: 2838 m
Departure: 950 m
Elevation: 1900 m
Distance: 15.5 km round trip
technical difficulties: none

Time: Between 9 and 11 h as fitness, ability to sleep at the shelter.

(Article under construction)

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Summit: 3129 m
Departure: 1120 m
Elevation: 2100 m
Distance: 24 km / R
technical difficulties: Passage steep at the breccia Arlaud gives access to the top of Gourgs Invalid

Time: between 11 and 15 h according to fitness. (It is strongly advised to sleep in a shelter and make the ascent in two days)

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Straddles the border of Spades The Estate is the culmination of the Ariege, but also of Catalonia. Back to 3143 meters, it is, with his sidekick Montcalm (3077 m) the first 3,000 of the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean.

It offers a view of the eastern Pyrenees, but also on massive Aneto, of Posets, Néouvielle Vignemale and even in clear weather.

Summit: 3143 m
Departure: 1180 m
Elevation: 2000 m
Distance: 13.5 km round trip
technical difficulties: no
Time: between 8 and 12 by physical condition.

Access to departure: After Foix, Tarascon follow, then take the D8 towards Vicdessos / Auzat. Then take the direction of Mark. Then follow the Artigue.

From the parking lot, up the road along the creek on your left, cross a bridge piere then continue to the junction.

At the junction turn left along the path that climbs winding. It quickly takes 500m vertical drops in the forest. On leaving the forest is vast grasslands. Follow the marked path that leads to the refuge of Pinet.

The refuge is located half-way to 2224 m altitude. The trail then passes over the pond then cross the mountainside to the pond Estate.

A pond to the left or the slope rises sharply. Follow the beacons and cairns up the pond Montcalm where we saw the peak of the same name, then turn right. Beware the swivel out to follow the path as it often diverges.

On reaching a hill situated at 2950 meters the road splits, one to the Montcalm (3077 m), the other in the Pica d'Estats (3143 m).

The descent via the same route.

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