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The Vignemale is a mythical mountain in the Pyrenees summit, the peak long, rises 3,298 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 / R
technical difficulties: top side AD. Crossing the glacier requires crampons.

Time: between 7 and 11 h depending fitness.

Access to departure: go to Gavarnie then head for 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 immediately a snow bridge and then crossed the path clear up yaw. Skip to the caves of Bellevue (2378 m), then leave the GR10 to 2550 and get onto the trail that climbs to the glacier Ossoue through a scree.

Once on the glacier it is customary to put his cleats, some topo tell of the foot of the glacier crevasses, but they have disappeared. During the climb the glacier was raw, cracks were visible and therefore safe. It should take precautions in case of snow and no trace (tying the most staying on).

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

Detaching the clamps to the first rock, then climb being very careful to falling rocks. The summit offers a splendid panorama on the channel including the Cirque de Gavarnie and the Balaïtous, 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 the ascent.

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

Summit: 2838 m
Departure: 950 m
Elevation: 1900 m
Distance: 15.5 km / R
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 depending fitness. (It is strongly advised to sleep in a shelter and make the climb in two days)

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Straddles the border of Spades The Estates is the culmination of the Ariege but also Catalonia. Back to 3143 meters, it is, with his sidekick the Montcalm (3,077 m) the first 3,000 of the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean.

It overlooks 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 / R
Technical difficulties: no
Time: between 8 and 12 by physical condition.

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

From the parking lot, go up the road along the creek to your left, cross a bridge and continue until you cross piere.

At the junction turn left by the winding path that climbs. It quickly took 500 vertical meters in the forest. At the exit of the forest is vast prairies. 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 you have crossed the mountain side to the pond Estates.

At the pond turn left or slope rises sharply. Follow the signs and cairns to the pond of Montcalm where you can see the peak of the same name, then turn right. Beware the scree to properly follow the path as it often diverges.

Reaching a pass located at 2950 meters the road splits, one to the Montcalm (3,077 m), the other at the Pique D'Estats (3143 m).

The descent via the same route.

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