As Winter moves towards Spring and the conditions in the mountains change, so does the suitability of routes.

The itinerary below is a sample of what we would hope to achieve during the latter stages of the Winter as Spring conditions begin to develop.

We aim to develop your mountaineering skills whilst seeing some of the classic venues and undertaking climbs of this area. Once again we will be climbing in and around the unique Cirque of Gavarnie, as well as visiting the North face of the Vignemale, the highest and most imposing Mountain of the French 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 to 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 up to the Oulettes refuge where we will spend the night beneath the imposing North face of the Vignemale. The day will first be spent reviewing multi pitch ropework and practicing some gear placements on the snow and ice near the refuge. We will be able to see tomorrow's route from the refuge.

DAY 4 – The Petit Vignemale
A day of putting all the skills to the test on a classic multi pitch winter route on one of the few remaining Pyrenean glaciers. We will endeavour to reach the summit of the Petit Vignemale via this mixed snow and ice route which climbs 400 metres on steady non technical terrain. (AD in the Alpine grading system) In the afternoon we will return to the comforts of Luz Saint Sauveur for another taste of civilization and a night of rest..

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 Espuguettes refuge which sits on a raised plateau dominating the cirque of Gavarnie, home to some of Europe's most spectacular climbing. The refuge is ideally situated for tomorrow's ascent of the Swan couloir which climbs to the summit of Gavarnie's Petit Astazou.

DAY 6 - Le Petit Astazou and the Swan Couloir
After a good nights rest at the refuge, you will make your way up to the foot of this spectacular couloir. 500 metres of frozen snow with a short section of steepper ice make this one of the true Pyrenean classics. This is a tremendous climb which affords you all the possibilities to put into use the skills you will have acquired during the first few days of the course.
Astonishing to think that this route has been skied!!!
After the straightforward descent you will return to the refuge for another well deserved rest.

DAY 7 – Le Couloir de l'Oublie
The aim for this final day is to climb the next Pyrenean classic, the ‘forgotten gully’. Conveniently situated in the cirque of Gavarnie once more, you have another 500 metre route, this time a little more technical, on which to really consolidate the week's learning and make the most of the spectacular winter conditions of the Pyrenees.

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- 1 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.