Etangs de Bassies depuis Coumebiere avec Bouquetins (Ibex)

A walk with Sheri, Andy and Paula over to the Etangs de Bassies from Coumebiere. We have looked down on the lakes so many times on other walks but have never visited them. The weather is still hot so made an early start and the reward was stumbling upon a herd of Ibex above the Port de Saliex. They were un-phased by our presence, but eventually wandered off with two males sizing each other up (see the video above).

The Etangs are part of a nature reserve which is protecting peat bogs/wetland areas and also some forest areas on the north side of Pic du Far. Walkways prevent peoples feet disturbing the peat bog. Unusually, we didn't see any wildlife in the reserve, except for a lone Red Kite scavenging around the refuge.

We dropped into the refuge for a cold drink before climbing straight up to the Col de las Fouzès through the heather and bilberry.

The cirques of Etang Bleu, Etang Garbet and Garbettiou

We returned via the Etang de Labant and the abandoned silver mines.

Weaving at last

 

Tempo treadle

Threading the heddles is made much easier with "Tempo treadle" a little gadget from Lofty Fibres which helps with both threading and preventing errors when weaving by showing you the correct treadling (which pedal to press next and which colour shuttle to throw) and giving a warning alarm if you've made a mistake.

Tuc de Coucou

My ankle injury turned out to be a torn ligament but after a couple of weeks of Phtsiotherapy and lots of home excerises things are much improved, so with a bit of taping it was time to get back in the hills.

Another trip to the Vallée d'Orle but this time less height gain - just a 1000m and 12.5km. Its straight up to Tuc de Coucou which lies between the vallée d'Orle and the Riberot on a never ending set of zigzags, first through the woods then out onto the open mountain. Great views and just one other party on the summit. On hte way down we took the Tour de Biros which here follows the old tramline for transporting the ore from the mines below Mail de Bulard (the first part being achieved via a téléphérique). A series of tunnels adds to the interest and at the end there are still a few rotting carriages and the old cradles and buckets from the télépherique.

Pic des Cingles (left) and Mail de bulard (right) dominate the Vallée d'Orle

Approaching Cabane de Besset after emerging above the tree line

Looking across to Pic de Courbayan, Serre Haute, Pic de l'Har and Pic de Calabasse in the far distance.

Familiar peaks of home with MontValier on the far right

Pic de Coucou with Mail de Bulard behind

Autumn colours

 

Autumn

Snow back on the mountains...at least for a few days.

 ...and more mushrooms. Susie is making a tasty mushroom and chestnut ravioli.

Sectional warp

 At last I m making a start on the fabric for the curtains. My first sectional warp and then my first weave on the new Louet Spring II loom.

Chateau Puilaurens

Susie and I decided to go on a day trip now a week of fencing the fields is over and the sheep are secure. A 2 hour 15 minute drive east, put us deep into "Pays Cathares" and after a lunch at the L'Artelier Bistroy in Lapradelle (recommended), we headed up to the Chateau Puilaurens, a spectacular 13th century castle perched high up on a limestone aiguille.

 

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.
 

More guests!

Shortly after Jasper and Stellan left, Helen (Susie's sister) and Gav her partner arrived. Susie only found out about Helen 18 months ago and although they've met a couple of times her and Gavin's week here was a chance to get to know them better. Many similarities and their easy going nature made for a fabulous week.

A few says before their departure Ruby and Finn arrived and a trip to the Balnéa Spa in Loudenvielle for all 6 of us, was a great end to Helen and Gav's holiday and a beginning to Ruby and Finn's.

A trip up Cap de Bouirex was a mountain day for Finn and Ruby...

...but the rest of the time was spent chilling!