Peyrelade, port de Barlonguère, Etang Long, Etang Rond

A hastily arranged walk with our neighbour Sandrine and we opted to head over the Col de Barlonguère and descend via the Etang Long and Etang Rond, which are often snow filled at this time of year.

The steep climb up past the cascades d'echelles was a rude awakening, especially for Sandrine as this was her first mountain walk since lock-down. On emerging from the tree line an overdose of sensations from the noise of the torrent and the colours of the wild flowers and butterflies.

Looking back to the skyline we walked a few days ago

We managed to find a place to cross the torrent without too much difficulty, before the long ascent in the sun to the upper valley.

Snow patches appeared a km or so before the cabane de Barlonguère

We had a short lunch at the cabin because it was gone 1.30 by the time we arrived and it was 2.30 by the time we started our descent from the Port de Barlonguère. The views were magnificent and the descent though all on snow was soft and easy.

The Etang Long still had a sprinkling of snow islands floating around.

The descent to the Etang Rond was snow free though there is a place where the the path has fallen off this winter requiring a short detour.

From the Etang Rond the long descent back down to Pla de Lau on tired legs. 18km and 1450m of height gain, it's always a tough day.

Cap d'Auternac

After a couple of months of being confined to our homes for all but essential journeys, the rules have been relaxed and we can travel within a 100km radius and socialise in groups not exceeding 10 people, whilst maintaining a 2m separation from those not in one's household....ample to allow a trip into the mountains with friends.

After a rendezvous at Col de la Core, we headed up to the Etang d'Eychelle for lunch. Pete, Dee and their kids called it day there, whilst Susie, I, Al and Breezy, Sheri and Michiel and Becks carried on.

 Red kite

After the Cabane d'Eychelle, we followed the vague path upto the SW to reach the broad col opposite Pic de Montgarié.

From there we followed the ridge over 4 or 5 tops to reach Cap d'Auternac 2361m and a second lunch with views to Mont Valier.

 Mont valier

 Tuc de la Messe, Cap d'Auternac and Pic de Lampau

A short steep descent from Cap d'Auternac put us on the Col de Crouzette, from where a snowy descent saw us back at the Cabane. Just over 1000m denivilée and lovely first walk of the season.

Fabulous to see friends and be back in the mountains doing what we love best.

Today the weather remains beautifully hot, we have our first guests in the gite and there's a semblance of normality!

A day of surprises

Surprise number one...it finally stopped raining and the sun came out.

Surprise number two...Chihero had a lamb during the night, a little ewe (we think) but 8 weeks after the rest of the lambing was over! We've called her Lately.

Surprise number three...Susie found some ceps, which we ate for lunch.

Surprise number four...it turns out Lawrie who we always thought was a male is actually a female, a sister to Lately. (I think the register must have got mixed up when we were tagging last year and oddly for a female ouessant she has horns). We also think she might be deaf. 

William our ram...Lately is probably his last offspring.

Some of Susie's photos during confinement