Snow conditions near refuge Bayesellance / crossing border

[margriet hendriks]

Dear all,

Do you think it is possible to make a trekking near Cauterets / Wallon? The idea is to cross the border to spain (e.g. puerto de panticosa, and return to france via puerto de cauterets, and after that go to refuge baysellance, refuge d'estom etcetera --> we are not sure about the exact route yet, but we have 7 days). Or do you think snow conditions are that severe, that it is advisable to take a different starting point. Our experience with crampons and ice axe is limited.

Ciao,
Margriet

[patrider]

Hello Margriet,

it depends when you're planning your trek and how much limited you are with crampons and ice axe. At the moment, there is continuous snow starting 2200-2300m in that area, I think... But maybe someone who has been hiking in this area recently would have better information.

Pour les autres, si quelqu'un a des infos sur l'enneigement dans le secteur Port de Panticosa - refuge de Baysellance - refuge d'Estom - port de Cauterets et ne sait pas les exprimer en anglais, merci de les laisser en français et je traduirai à Margriet...

[margriet hendriks]

Hi patrider,

Thanks for the translation! We will start from Cauterets this saturday, so the trek is scheduled for next week.

Margriet

[patrider]

Well, there should remain some snow on the way you're planning to follow, but I really don't know how much as it has been quite hot the last few days. What I know is that there were still up to 1,50m of snow around the refuge of Baysellance 10 days ago.

Anyways you will probably have to be careful with snow slides from the mountains around if you walk over 2400-2500m.