Area: French Pyrenees
Walk: Refuge d'Ilheou - Col de la Haugade (2,311m) - Lacs de l'Embarrat - Vallee du Marcadau - Pont d'Espagne - Lac de Gaube - Vallee de Gaube - Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube
Distance: 11.25 miles 3,200ft ascent
With: Exodus trekking group
Conditions: Sunshine and blue sky all day
Time: 9 hours 30 minutes
Sunrise
Last night's accommodation, Refuge d'Ilheou
Looking back to the refuge from the path by the side of Lac d'Ilheou
Looking back down on the lac and refuge from the ascent to the Col
de la Haugade
Ascending to the col
Col de la Haugade (2,311m / 7,580ft)
View south from the col
Leaving the col
The view south. Tonight's stop is under the north face of Vignemale,
the highest peak in the far distance, centre.
Heading down
...and the view back
Looking down on the lower of the two Lacs de l'Embarrat
The Col de la Haugade is on the right, we traversed the slope under
the cliffs
View south on the descent to the valley
Looking down on Vallee du Marcadau
Gave du Marcadau
Heading down the valley to Pont d'Espagne
Looking back up the valley
Waterfall at Pont d'Espagne
Looking up the Vallee de Gaube
Lac de Gaube
Looking back down on Lac de Gaube
Vignemale
...and again
Refuge des Oulettes de Gaube, tonight's accommodation. 75 'beds'
and one toilet!
The north face of Vignemale