Pico Occidental 2 (3,220 m) and Occidental 3 (3,185 m)
Itinerary 10. La Renclusa Refuge - Torrente de Alba - Collado de Alba - Western Peak 2 and 3 (MBEA, S3, 1,080 m)
The extreme sports leave us wonderful landscapes and experiences. From Renclusa you must leave the Aneto and Maladeta Oriental route to the left, and go up the small valley that in an easterly direction brings us closer to the hill and the peaks of Paderna. It will turn progressively to the left to enter the Alba basin and decisively attack the Alba pass, a very steep and obligatory gap. Once at the top, access to Western Peak 2 is via a delicate ascending journey that sometimes requires taking off your shoes. The ascent of Western Peak 3, the closest to the hill, is delicate, with an aerial "grimpada" and supported by granite blocks (IIº). Descent along the same route.
Observations: excellent itinerary, winding and intelligent, which crosses one of the least known areas of the massif. Summits with a guaranteed environment and excellent descent. Passing the Alba pass requires you to take off your skis. Also access by crossing to the somital ridge. From Occidental 2 you can climb without difficulty to the Bondidier peak, another collector's "three thousand".
Diente de Alba (3,136 m)
Itinerary 10a. Refugio de la Renclusa - Torrente de Alba - Canal del Diente de Alba - Diente de Alba (MBEA, S3. 1,080 m).
Itinerary 10 must be followed until near the access channel to the Alba pass. The adjacent canal on the right quickly leads to the nice spire. Descent along the same route.
Observations: small sharp and friendly promontory located between Western Peak 3 and Pico de Alba. You can complete itinerary 10 without too much effort. The combination with the descent through Paderna is very interesting. The short channel of 40-45º (150-200 m) offers a good opportunity to show off for lovers of "slope skiing" (S4).
Pico de Alba (3,118 m)
Itinerary 11. La Renclusa Refuge - Torrente de Alba - Pico de Alba. (MBEA, S3, S4, 978 m)
From La Renclusa you must leave the Aneto and Maladeta Oriental route to the left, and go up the small valley that in an easterly direction brings us closer to the hill and the peaks of Paderna. It will turn progressively to the left to enter the Alba basin. After going up the valley for a long distance, look for, on the right, an extension of the glacier, very inclined, that gives access to the ridge of Pico de Alba. Changing slopes, we will get as close as possible, with skis on our feet, to the summit. The slope and snow conditions will advise us when to continue on foot. The peak is reached without special difficulties, but through aerial terrain. Descent along the same route.
Observations: excellent panoramic views over the Ésera valley and the Perdiguero and Posets massifs. It is the westernmost summit of the Maladeta massif, with its own great personality. The ascent is more interesting than the descent. The somital blade is very pronounced and is not always in good condition. Its ski descent is only suitable for expert skiers (S3, S4). You can descend via route 13 if the conditions are good and you know the delicate steps well.
Itinerary 12. Benasque Hospital - Vallón de la Pleta de Paderna - Pico de Alba. (MBEA, S3. 1,360 m).
Shortly after the plains of the Benasque Hospital you have to go up to the right, through the forest, in the direction of the tucas of Paderna. A steep slope, with successive steps that are gained through pronounced channels, takes us to the Maladetas slope. Once there, follow the Alba torrent and after going up the valley for a long stretch, look for, to the right, a very inclined extension of the glacier that gives access to the edge of Pico de Alba. Changing slopes, we will get as close as possible, with skis on our feet, to the summit. The slope and snow conditions will advise us when to take off our skis. The peak is reached without special difficulties, but through aerial terrain. Descent along the same route.
Observations: excellent route both in the hard ascent and in the descent, direct and exciting that will allow you to release adrenaline full. It can also be a way to access the Renclusa refuge by crossing. The Paderna slope is very exposed to avalanches and is totally inadvisable with poorly stabilized snow.
Itinerary 13. Baños de Benasque - Valle de Alba - Pico de Alba (MBEA, S3. 1,438 m).
Following the Baños de Benasque track, heading north, you reach a narrow torrent that must be climbed. At the top, and after a very notable effort, we will be able to put on our skis and enter, after crossing a false hill, in the Alba valley. It goes back to the end, overcoming a wide variety of slopes. A notable step, which is overcome on the left, takes us to the base of the somital blade. There you will have to take off your shoes again to win the summit. The descent is carried out along the same route.
Observations: very challenging and not at all frequented route, which runs through narrow and wild terrain. The most common thing is not to find sufficient or suitable snow in the first 500 m of slope. The upper part of the Alba valley is very skiable. Great atmosphere under the crest of the 14 gendarmes. A very good knowledge of the area is necessary, which will be helped by prior exploration in summer.
Tuc de Molières (3,010 m)
Itinerary 14. Renclusa Refuge - Aigualluts Plan - Molières Peak (BE, S3. 1,090 m).
From behind the refuge, heading west, you quickly ascend to the Renclusa hill. Then descend to the Plan d'Aigualluts and cross it to enter a narrow tube that takes us to the Escaleta valley. Turning gently to the right, paying attention not to turn too much and entering the valley that leads to the Pico de Barrancs, you follow the relief of the terrain without any special difficulties. Near the base of the Mulleres peak, depending on the snow cover, you must choose between ascending directly or reaching the gap that opens in the crest, to the left of the peak, and then continuing on foot to the summit. Descent along the same route.
Observations: optimal itinerary to experience the atmosphere of the high winter mountains without special difficulties, with generally moderate slopes and beautiful panoramic views. It may be interesting to leave from the Benas Hospital, which, avoiding the "siphon" of the Renclusa hill, is a long journey (1,430 m).
Itinerary 15. South mouth of the Vielha tunnel (Vielha Hospital) - Molières Peak - North mouth of the Vielha tunnel (MBEA, S3. 1,384 m).
Exit towards the west of the south mouth of the Vielha tunnel, through a marked glacial valley. Soon a steep climb begins, sustained until reaching the bivac shelter. With an ascending diagonal traverse it goes back to the gap, north of the Mulleres peak, which is gained on foot. From this pass, to the left, a ridge of blocks that do not present any notable difficulties leads to the Molières peak. The descent continues, from the gap where we left skiing, a journey along the Aragonese slope to Col. Alfred. HE a false hill, in the Alba valley. It goes back to the end, overcoming a wide variety of slopes. A notable step, which is overcome on the left, takes us to the base of the somital blade. There you will have to take off your shoes again to win the summit. The descent is carried out along the same route.
Observations: very challenging and not at all frequented route, which runs through narrow and wild terrain. The most common thing is not to find sufficient or suitable snow in the first 500 m of slope. The upper part of the Alba valley is very skiable. Great atmosphere under the crest of the 14 gendarmes. A very good knowledge of the area is necessary, which will be helped by prior exploration in summer.
Tuc de Molières (3,010 m)
Itinerary 14. Renclusa Refuge - Aigualluts Plan - Molières Peak (BE, S3. 1,090 m).
From behind the refuge, heading west, you quickly ascend to the Renclusa hill. Then descend to the Plan d'Aigualluts and cross it to enter a narrow tube that takes us to the Escaleta valley. Turning gently to the right, paying attention not to turn too much and entering the valley that leads to the Pico de Barrancs, you follow the relief of the terrain without any special difficulties. Near the base of the Mulleres peak, depending on the snow cover, you must choose between ascending directly or reaching the gap that opens in the crest, to the left of the peak, and then continuing on foot to the summit. Descent along the same route.
Observations: optimal itinerary to experience the atmosphere of the high winter mountains without special difficulties, with generally moderate slopes and beautiful panoramic views. It may be interesting to leave from the Benas Hospital, which, avoiding the "siphon" of the Renclusa hill, is a long journey (1,430 m).
Itinerary 15. South mouth of the Vielha tunnel (Vielha Hospital) - Molières Peak - North mouth of the Vielha tunnel (MBEA, S3. 1,384 m).
Exit towards the west of the south mouth of the Vielha tunnel, through a marked glacial valley. Soon a steep climb begins, sustained until reaching the bivac shelter. With an ascending diagonal traverse it goes back to the gap, north of the Mulleres peak, which is gained on foot. From this pass, to the left, a ridge of blocks that do not present any notable difficulties leads to the Molières peak. The descent continues, from the gap where we left skiing, a journey along the Aragonese slope to Col. Alfred. HE
