Pic des Cinglès

After what seems like an eternity we have had some more rain...three days in total in nearly 4 months. With more of the fields being fenced in with pig netting at last the sheep are staying put. Timmy our ram got a stay of execution when at the last minute we finally got a call from someone who wanted to buy him. He quickly disappeared and now has 4 ewes to service, hopefully our ewes have escaped further pregnancy!

So today a chance to return to the mountains. Susie has a colossal 5 dance lessons a week to organise so I roped Andy into joining me on a trip to Pic des Cinglès one of a handful of peaks I haven't climbed in the Couserans.

A reasonably early start and we reached the Port d'Orle in 3 hours 20. From there we ventured into Spain to find a way to the summit. I came her over 10 years ago and tried to climb to the summit by the ridge (climbing at III and II) but Ben backed off the first pitch and instead we headed to Mail de Bulard.

Port d'Orle

Andy in front of some of the winter climbing couloirs

Two other walkers who also headed through the Port d'Orle on a small peak to the south of the old tramway.

Today we took a line to just west of the summit picking up the end of the south spur. A short scramble landed us on the summit to excellent views in all directions.

Looking north over France

Looking south towards the Aigues-Tortes

Vulture with Besiberri Nord in the distance

Aneto and Maladetta

Frontier ridge with pic des Cinglès left and the Port d'Orle against the dark shadowed North face of Pic de Port d'Orle.

Valier beyond Pic de Cornave and Pic de Barlongère

The descent took a little longer than the ascent because I have an ankle injury, but we got back to the car with about 6 hours 45 of walking. 17.5km and 1660m of ascent.