From Refuge d’ Arrémoulit to near Refuge Wallon

^22-07-07

I have quite a good night’s sleep, although it’s a bit windy and I wake up several times from my and my neighbous’ tents flapping. But the morning view with blue sky and sun rising into the bowl of Lac d’ Arrémoulit totally makes up for it.

I run through my morning routine and quickly break camp; then start climbing steeply almost right away.

Not long before I reach Col d’ Arrémoulit (2448m asl) and once more cross over and even more steeply down into Spain.

But it’s a good path and no problem; soon I’m down at beautiful Ibon de Arriel Alto.

The path snakes along some more lakes, and then along the mountainside.

There are -again- beautiful flowers, some crooked pine trees, and a lot of not-ready-to-eat-yet rasberries; and gorgeous views all around.

Before long I can see the reservoir Embalse de Respomuse in the distance.

Pretty much exactly at 12 o’clock I reach the reservoir and have a lunch break in sight of the Refugio de Respomuso.

Just as I pass by the refuge a guardia civil helicopter comes in and lands (at second try 😉 – not sure if they’re guarding the border, or having a training flight to enjoy some windy mountain air and visit the refuge staff?

My path takes me further up the valley across a beautiful flat meadow, and then up along a canyon.

It gets steeper and I get higher and higher. Finally I get to the lake almost at the top, and there is a semi-sketchy snow field to cross… I hesitate for a moment and consider to walk around the other side of the lake instead, but the snow is soft and great for making stable steps, so I risk it; and all is fine.

Then there is a last push up to Col de la Fâche (or ‘La Facha’) at about 2660m asl, and back into France.

After a short, well earned break, it’s a loooong descent down…

I decide to camp before I reach Refuge Wallon (1865m) – about 15mins walk upstream there seems to be a really nice windsheltered spot, with no cattle – at least for now.

approx. 8,5h incl. long breaks;

15,7km, 925m ascent, 1245m descent

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