Having organised ski touring trips for eleven years , we are now offering winter mountaineering courses to the non skiing climber.

This particular course is designed to refresh and update your skills and knowledge of mountaineering techniques, as well as take you to some of the most spectacular peaks of the Pyrenees. At times on snowshoes during the approaches, you will soon change for crampons and ice axe. Pure ice climbing is not the goal this week but rather an all round winter mountaineering experience. From frozen gullies to exposed ridges, we will attempt to provide a complete Pyrenean adventure.

From the spectacular Cirque of Gavarnie with its surrounding Mont Perdu, the Petit and Grand Astazou and the Marbore to the imposing North face of the Vignemale or even further West to the twin peaked Pic du midi d’Ossau, the region is full of possibilities for the winter mountaineer.

Based mostly in a cosy hotel in the village of Luz saint Sauveur, you will spend some nights in mountain refuges in order to get to the higher reaches of the Pyrenees.

OUTLINE ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Fly to Pau Pyrenees
The best way to get to the Pyrenees is on a Ryanair schedule to Pau. We pick you up from there in our minibus and drive you to Luz St Sauveur. You collect your hired gear and meet up with your guide in the evening for a drink and a briefing.

DAY 2 - Warm up day and acclimatisation
Today the plan is to shake off the cobwebs, get out into the mountains and try and revise or learn some fundamental mountaineering skills. From crampon and axe use through to ropework, the workshop will be geared towards the particular needs of each small group. This is likely to take place in the nearby Vallon d’Aoube or in the spectacular cirque of Troumouse.

DAY 3 - A training day and a first route
Today we will head to the routes around the Maillet in Troumouse once again. With a view to reviewing multi pitch winter climbing techniques, gear placements and use of ice screws, we will also be keen to get a few winter routes under our belts.

The night will be spent in the isolated Auberge de Heas which is situated at the gateway to the cirque of Troumouse. With only a few rooms and one very welcoming host, Pyrenean hospitality will prevail as you prepare for a full day's climbing tomorrow

DAY 4 – A multi pitch climb on ice and snow
A day of putting all the skills to the test on some multi pitch winter routes in the cirque. The routes will be mixed with some ice and some snow. The aim would be to achieve success at a not too technical grade. (PD sup for those who are familiar with the Alpine grading system)
Tonight we will return to the comforts of Luz Saint Sauveur for another taste of civilization.

DAY 5 – A rest day and a hike
Today will give you a morning to recuperate and rest those weary muscles before you head up in the afternoon to the Sarradets refuge which sits above the Cirque of Gavarnie looking up to the Breche de Roland. The views across to the now frozen Grande Cascade, the highest waterfall in Europe at 483 metres, are awesome.

DAY 6 - West face of the Taillon
After a good night's sleep and an early start you will set off towards the West face of the Taillon, a 3000 metre peak which straddles the French/Spanish border. Your route will take you up one of the two gullies on the central face of this mountain. The 350 metre route is mostly snow with some short, steeper ice sections. From the summit you will make your way back down to the Sarradets refuge where you will spend another night..

DAY 7 – North face of the Casque
The aim for this final day is to climb the North face of the Casque which dominates the Cirque of Gavarnie. This is a slightly more technical route which would provide a very worthwhile and commendable finish to the week's progression.
There are so many options in the area surrounding the Sarradets refuge that if the group and guide decide not to try this route something more suitable will provide an equally spectacular and enjoyable alternative.

After the day's climbing the group will return for a last night in Luz Saint Sauveur. Your final dinner in the Pyrenees will no doubt be spent in the company of your guide as you relive the memorable moments of the last week.

DAY 8 - Fly back to London
You are transferred back to Pau Airport or Lourdes SNCF to connect with transport back home.

Please Note: This itinerary is a sample and may be altered if conditions, weather forecasts or the overall fitness of the group are judged to put the safety of the group at risk. Pyrenean Mountain Tour Guides reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary without notice. These changes will be explained to the group as and when they occur.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING NEEDED FOR THIS TREK
We recommend that people joining this trek are equipped with the following:

Technical equipment
Rigid waterproof boots(plastic or leather)
Two ice axes,
harness,
helmet,
crampons with front points.

Clothing suggestions
Thermal underwear- One set as a base layer
Fleece
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof overtrousers
Warm hat
Warm gloves
Warm walking socks
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses/Goggles

Unguarded hut gear
Sleeping bag
Plastic mug
Plastic plate (or similar)
Knife, fork and spoon
Karrimat
Toilet roll (please try to get bio-degradable paper)

Other useful items
40-60 litre rucksack (needs side straps so that you can carry skis)
Head torch and batteries
Sun block for face and lips
Personal First Aid kit (plasters,compede, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus
Penknife

Optional items
Change of clothing to include: underwear,tracksuit bottoms/ long-johns,dry shirt, spare socks.
Camera and film
Paperback novel
Maps
Ear plugs (there is always one snorer)
Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate

Please remember to carry as little gear as possible. A heavy rucksack will make the trip hard work and less fun.