Pic de Puntussan

Susie is in the UK visiting Jasper and Ruby, friends and sisters, so I decided to get in a big mountain day. This week,15 years ago, I climbed Pic de Puntussan and Pic des Trois Comptes, so I decide to repeat the ascent but by a more sensible route (avoiding Pic de Lesse and returning by the same route). 

I set out at 8.00 and made swift progress reaching Garbettou in 30 mins, where I saw something large moving amongst the rocks, I approached furtively but in fact it was a lone a male isard.

Garbettou - the peak in the far distance on the left is Pic des Trois Comptes, Pic de Puntussan is beyond this hidden from view.

I reached the Etang Garbet in 1 hour 15 mins which was deserted and was at the Etang Bleu in about 2 hours.

Etang de Garbet

Etang Bleu

The long slog through the granite wilderness took another hour and I made the summit of Pic de Puntussan in about 3 hours 45. The climb to the summit was more difficult than I remembered. I climbed the corner on the left of the obvious ramp to regain the ridge then threaded my way through the jumble of huge granites blocks. Not difficult but serious when alone and so far from anywhere! Amazing views in all directions with no civilisation in site, save the emergency transmitter on Pic Près de Puntussan. I decided not to descend the same the way instead taking the north ridge then contouing back under the peak to reach the col between Pic des trois Comptes and Pic de Puntussan.

Pic de Puntussan

Pic de Puntussan, the ascent is via the right leaning ramp then the ridge

Looking towards Pic de Lesse

Looking towards Pic Rouge de Bassies

Looking towards Pic Pres de Puntussan and Montcalm and Pica d'Estats in the distance with snow

Looking towards Certescan and Mont Rouch

Looking back to Pic des Trois Comptes

The long descent was tough on the knees, granite is rather unforgiving, but 16km and 1500m of ascent in 8 hours including stops for lunch etc. 

Garbettou again

Still green at 900m