I left Luchon heading for the Col de Peyresourde, en route I turned off for the Lac d'Oo. I got to the trailhead, but the information board informed me that it was too much for me with my foot as it is.
It was a stunning drive through the valley though.
Back enroute I could see the Port de la Glere, the pass I ascended to return over to the Spanish side of the Pyrenees last year. That ascent culminated in a very steep snowfield above a huge vertical drop. It was a case of move a foot, kick a step, move a walking pole and plunge it into the snow, then repeat with my other foot and walking pole zigzagging up the fifty plus degree slope. It was the scariest thing I'd ever done ! (1st photo shows the pass and snowfield, the lowest point on right of the 2 lowest points on the horizon).
The route over the passes I drove was even better than yesterdays, lots of stops to take in the views.
After lunch it was the ascent up to the Col de Tourmalet, (of Tour de France fame). It was spoilt by the vast ski resort of la Mongie, and the desecration of this stunning arena for ski slopes. Then the Col de Tourmalet was hideous amount of people and commercialisation. Regardless the surrounding mountains and steep descent were lovely. Though Bareges was very geared up for winter sports too.
The resorts I'd seen before were nice enough, but todays were not...
I found a campsite after checking out 4 beforehand. The people who owned it were very friendly 'country' folk. The toilet block was tatty. I was the only one staying here, though 2 previous sites were empty. Once I set up and showered the flys came out in force. I won't be here another night. The last photo is a view from the campsite.
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