More walks in the fabulous autumn weather

Last week a visit from Susie's niece Emily and her boyfriend Steve, was an excuse to do the Cabantous circuit again and see the dusting of fresh snow on the tops. The weather was so Mild both Emily and steve took a dip in the lake.

Steve, Emily and Susie

The Cirque below Pic Rouge de Bassies

Yesterday another trip to the East this time to visit the Etang d'Artax and Roc de Querquéou in a nice circuit of 12km and 980m ascent. Great views of the mountains to the East and around Andorra as well as interesting perspective of out home mountains in the Couserans.

 

At the Col de Lastris

A western saddle bush cricket

view towards Andorra

The granite massifs of Pic rouge de Bassies/Pentussan and Certescan. Mont Rouch beyond

Approaching the Etang d' Artax, where we had a second lunch.

Colours at the Etang

The ubiquitous griffon vulture

The long descent through the beech forest

At home there's been a spate of sausage making to make space in the freezer for this year's game. 

And after our sour dough starter died, the creation of a new starter and with a new recipe the most fantastic bread.

Etang de Peyregrand

A magnificent autumn walk to the Etang de Peyregrand from Bouychet (above the village of Siguer).

The pictures tell you everything! 940m of ascent and about 15km.  We had thought of doing a bigger circuit returning via the Etangs de Neych, but we were all a bit tired so decided to return the same way.

 

Etang de Réglisse

Good weather was forecast but it was grey and raining until we arrived at Gerac then in the space of 20 minutes everything changed and we were blessed with a glorious day. 

It was a day for photos, so we abandoned our initial goal of Pic de Turguilla and took things easy allowing time for artist shots and a leisurely lunch at the Etang de Réglisse.

On the way to Gerac about 200 sheep and their shepherd caused us to halt and get some great shots as the clouds started to lift.

Cabanatous circuit

An old favourite. To mix things up we went in the reverse direction, starting with the Port de Saliex. The usual lunch on the summit of Pic de Cabanatous before trying a new variant by descending the ridge falling from Pic des Fouzes. Steep with a few rocky outcrops it was interesting but not really worthwhile to repeat.

Afterwards Sheri had reserved places at the Spa in Aulus les Bains for us, which none of us had ever visited. Like the ridge it was interesting but not worth a second visit.

Etand d'Alate

Etangs de Bassies

Pic de Fouzes

and the ridge below

 

Col de Lau depuis Aulus les Bains

With appointments in the afternoon and low cloud we decided on a low level walk from Aulus. There's a path that climbs to eventually traverse the face of Mont Beas passing via the Col de Lau to eventually reach the Col du Dret. It's a long gradually climb of about 800m. Mostly in forest on granite. Then suddenly you leave the treeline and emerge in a karst landscape below the steep south face of Mont Beas. Quite spectacular. Return by the same itinery for 4 hours of exercise including lunch.

 

Col de crouzette via etang d'eychelle et etang d'ayes

First time in the mountains since my knee problems, but equipped with a pair of knee supports all went amazingly well. We (Al, Breezy, Sheri, Susie and I) started in the clouds from the new lower parking on the piste de mont noir above the Etang Bethmale. From there steeply up through the forest and clouds to the Col d'Auerole where our loop began.

We decided to go clockwise, climbing past the etang d'eychelle, to eventually reach the col de crouzette for lunch with views towards Valier and some very friendly merens horses and foals.

From here we traversed westwards to eventaully reach the col de roc plat below Pic de Montgarie, where we descended to join the GR10. This traverses high above the Riberot valley before passing below Pic de Crabère and descending to reach the Etang d'Ayes. A short climb back up to the Col d'Auerole and the loop was complete. 

1173m of ascent and 15km.

On the GR10

 

One of many wheatears