Beyond the very beauty of the massif, and its natural wealth, it can be said that its reputation is based on the inaccessible aspect of its northern face, which was the scenario of some of the most remarkable expeditions In recent centuries . The northern long sting , and especially the prodigious Gaube corridor are two symbols of mountaineering in the Pyrenees and still remain very coveted climbs .
The massif presents two very contrasting faces: with the dark verticality of the square peak, the Chauser pointe or the long spike, opposes the luminous and friendly face of the Ossoue glacier .
The characteristic shape of the glacier, in horseshoe, suspended above the clouds, has been visible from other peaks as distant as those of the Val d'Aran and the Pallars. This large expanse of snow, the most important with that of The Maladeta , is so bright that it seems to have been placed there specially for the practice Snow sports .
But an ascent in Ski on the summits of the vignemale is not easy ... for Arriving at the top of the most beautiful Pyrenees glacier, you will have to make your way through deep valleys and take very pronounced slopes! The difficulties of access, isolation, the risks of avalanche and altitude will be some of the main factors converting the vignemale into an extraordinary mountain, and its ascent makes it a real test for everything Fluggist!
Description of the vignemale
The vignemale is located in the Bigorre region and near the Gavarnie circus. The entry into the massif will be done by the Gaube valley from Cauterets, or by the Ossoue valley, from Gavarnie. These 2 "entry doors" in the vignemale will be accessible to ski.
The 2 sides present many Refuges that will welcome you and winter. Gaube and Bayssellance being 2 of the most renowned refuges, they will allow you to split your ascent into 2 stages or connect routes taking you to the mountains of Marcadau and Gavarnie.
Climate
The region has the most important snow thicknesses of all the Pyrenees. Indeed, the Atlantic gusts, always very harsh, violently strikes the Pyrenees and bring with them enormous amounts of snow. This geo-climatic characteristic gives the area a very harsh, even inhospitable character in certain specially exposed areas.
Based temperatures and significant climate change make the region sometimes dangerous, and considerably increase the topographic difficulties that can be encountered on the various routes taken.
In addition, there are many avalanches! We will retain in continuation 3 particularly exposed zones:
-
Access to the Hourquette d'Ossoue from Gaube, realizing through the Crêtes de la Hourquette.
-
The crossing from the Baysellance refuge to the glacier. It is advisable to venture only in good climatic conditions. In addition, it will be recommended to descend up to 200 meters in order to find more favorable land in order to go back more easily to the moraine of the glacier.
-
The third and the most dangerous of all corresponds to the ascent of the precipice of Ossoue in its entirety. Its narrowness, its length convert it into a mousetrap, and the height of its walls makes it impossible to predict the quantity and the state of the accumulated snow. Move in these areas is reckless!
It will also be necessary to take into account other phenomena such as storms and fog, the low visibility making the orientation specially difficult!
In conclusion, the vignemale is a site of rare beauty and one of the great riches of the French Pyrenees , however its ascent will be reserved for an experienced audience and follower of high mountain activities.
Climate
The region has the most important snow thicknesses of all the Pyrenees. Indeed, the Atlantic gusts, always very harsh, violently strikes the Pyrenees and bring with them enormous amounts of snow. This geo-climatic characteristic gives the area a very harsh, even inhospitable character in certain specially exposed areas.
Based temperatures and significant climate change make the region sometimes dangerous, and considerably increase the topographic difficulties that can be encountered on the various routes taken.
In addition, there are many avalanches! We will retain in continuation 3 particularly exposed zones:
- Access to the Hourquette d'Ossoue from Gaube, realizing through the Crêtes de la Hourquette.
- The crossing from the Baysellance refuge to the glacier. It is advisable to venture only in good climatic conditions. In addition, it will be recommended to descend up to 200 meters in order to find more favorable land in order to go back more easily to the moraine of the glacier.
- The third and the most dangerous of all corresponds to the ascent of the precipice of Ossoue in its entirety. Its narrowness, its length convert it into a mousetrap, and the height of its walls makes it impossible to predict the quantity and the state of the accumulated snow. Move in these areas is reckless!
In conclusion, the vignemale is a site of rare beauty and one of the great riches of the French Pyrenees , however its ascent will be reserved for an experienced audience and follower of high mountain activities.
