Etang Bleu depuis Coumebière

DIY, work, haymaking, sheep shearing, dance workshops and poor weather have all prevented us from getting into the mountains for far too long. My initial plan had been to have a solo day out visiting Pic des Trois Comptes, Pic Puntussan and Pic Près Puntussan, but on Friday night Susie decided she wanted to come after all and so Saturday morning we both set off from Coumebière.

This route of getting to Etang Garbet is new to me and reduces the ascent and saves about 25 minutes compared to the normal starting point closer to Aulus. The path is clear enough, though with a lot of small ups and downs and it never really allows you you to get into a rhythm. 

Half a dozen tents at the Etang Garbet but no other walkers.

After going around the lake we climbed steeply up to the tiny Etang Bleu, hemmed in on all sides by steep cliffs where we had lunch. A very hot day, Susie was tired from her run up Joubac a couple of days ago and I didn't feel on top form. The humidity was building and we decided to put the peaks off for another day.

The clouds built and followed us down the mountain on a rather exhausting descent despite the modest 14km and just 800m of ascent.

We saw some isards, a golden eagle and single male Bearded Vulture. I hadn't taken the big telephoto on this trip, but the wildlife was all quite a distance away.