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Peak bagging walking holiday in the PyreneesAn exciting week of peaks and ridges from the comfort of a mountain lodge |
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Rugged peaks with outstanding mountain
views. |
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OVERVIEWThe week is based in a comfortable mountain lodge in the thermal Spa town of Ax-Les-Thermes. Straddling the beautiful River Ariège, Ax provides us with a welcome contrast in both climate and scenery to that of the wild mountains that we will be exploring during the days. Ax has a road network that enables us to start our walks high and explore the "real mountains" without the burden of a heavy backpack or long preambles. The town itself has been inhabited since Roman times, due to its thermal springs that still flow freely down the streets. It is now a popular base for summer and winter activity holidays enhancing its charm with lots of interesting shops, restaurants and lively bars. On the day off why not try out some mountain biking, rafting, canyoning or caving. This is a fairly demanding trip aimed at walkers, who fancy taking on some pointy peaks and narrow ridges that they would not normally do by themselves. We rarely use paths marked on the map, using the knowledge of our local guide to take us to the lesser-known parts of the mountains where lizards, marmots and mouflon are common sightings (and other trekkers rare). This is a holiday for people that enjoy adventurous trekking and getting into the heart of the mountains, but who prefer to team this up with comfortable accommodation. This holiday is run at Grade 'moderate' or Grade 'demanding' involving differing amounts of ascent, depending on the week. IS THIS HOLIDAY FOR ME?This is a fairly demanding trip aimed at walkers who fancy taking on some peaks and ridges which they would not normally do by themselves. Be prepared for some extended sections without paths. Boulder fields, scree slopes, snow patches and some easy hands on scrambling will be encountered during the week. We run this trips a two different grades: Tough = 800 to 1300m ascent per day and Demanding = 1000 to 1600m ascent per day. It is important to us that people book the correct trip. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have have any doubts.To see some photos of the kind of landscape encountered, please seen the excellent online photo albums of the Scenery and group made by John Herring, who came on this trip in July 2006. DATES
Sun 27 July - Sun 3 Aug 2008 (Trip code TFP H30) - Tough FANCY A 2 WEEK BREAK? This trip can combined with the Peaks and Ridges of the Eastern Pyrenees trip. Book both trips together for a 5% discount (this can be combined with the early booker discount to give you 10% off the cost of you holiday). HOW MUCH DOES THE HOLIDAY COST?The holiday costs £659 starting at Toulouse Airport. Flights are not included but can be picked up very cheaply if booked in advance. Allow about £50 for drinks and the meals not included (outlined below). Please note that we offer a 5% discount if you book more than 3 months before the departure date. We also offer group and loyalty discounts. More Info >>WHAT DOES THE PRICE INCLUDE?5 days guided walks with a qualified Mountain Leader. Airport Transfers (specified times only). Private vehicle transfers during the week. 7 nights in Mountain chalet / lodge. 5 evening meals, 7 breakfasts, 5 picnic lunches.WHERE DO WE STAY?We stay in L'Alpage, a comfortable chalet / Lodge 15 mins walk uphill from the center of Ax. Alan and Marie-Helen, our hosts, create a warm and relaxed atmosphere in their beautiful Chalet style house. The spacious lounge and bar opens on to a panoramic south facing terrace - the perfect place to relax with cool beer at the end of a great day in the hills! Accommodation is normally allocated on a twin share basis with shared facilities although occasionally it may be up to 3 people in a room.FOOD7 substantial, continental style breakfasts are included. Comprehensive picnic lunches will be provided on walking days, which you will be expected to carry with you. 5 evenings meals are taken at the lodge, where we will be served regional specialties such as Confit du canard and Cassoulet. A moderate amount of wine is included with these meals. 2 evening meals are not included, giving you the opportunity to head into town where there are many fine French and International restaurants. Vegetarians are welcome and will be looked after very well.GUIDING AND INSTRUCTION You be accompanied by James Thompson, a qualified International Mountain Leader and member of BAIML (British Association of International Mountain Leaders). James has 9 years of experience in leading safe and enjoyable trips around the world. He is passionate about the area and throughout the week will offer informal lectures about the mountains, nature and local history. James will carry all the equipment necessary to safeguard the group. GROUPThere is a maximum of 8 people (minimum 2) plus James on this holiday. Bookings from single people are welcome as activity holidays are a great way to make new friends.TRANSPORTThroughout the trip you transferred to and from the walk start points in a private minibus. The unique road network around Ax means that we can drive high and gain good views with minimum effort. Transfers will be from 20 to 40 mins each way.CLIMATEThe proximity of Ax to the Mediterranean gives us a warm stable climate. Perfect walking weather! Rain can not be ruled out and may influence our choice of activity, but there are plenty of wet weather alternatives.WHAT TO BRINGThe joy of a this center based holiday is that you don't need to carry much with you, making the walking and scrambling a lot easier. A full kit list will be sent on booking.HOW DO I GET THERE?Toulouse Airport is only 1hr 45mins form Ax by road. Minibus transfers at specified times are included in the cost of the holiday.Airport transfers are included on this trip and will be arranged to tie in with the following flights: British Airways from London Gatwick: Out: Wednesday 9th July, departing Gatwick at 1345 and arriving in Toulouse at 1630. In: Wednesday 16th July, departing Toulouse at 1705 and arriving in Gatwick at 1750. Out: Wednesday 9th July, departing Gatwick at 1325 and arriving in Toulouse at 1615. In: Wednesday 16th July, departing Toulouse at 1640 and arriving in Bristol at 1725. Please see the Transport section for all travel options (air, road and rail) plus getting to the start point independently of the group transfer. |
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NOTES |
The itinerary remains flexible to accommodate for the weather conditions and the desires of the group. The treks described below are to give you an idea of what we could encounter during the week. There is a lifetimes worth of peaks and ridge to choose from - trying to work out which ones not to do is the main problem! |
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DAY 1 |
Transfer 1hr 15mins from Toulouse airport to our private lodge in Ax-les-Thermes. After a briefing its time for a few beers in town. Dinner tonight is not included due to the late arrival of the flights. |
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DAY 2 |
Roc Blanc (2542m). Starting in the National Nature Reserve of Orlu, we climb sharply following the GR7 (Tour Des Montangnes d'Ax). The final stages to the summit involve some basic scrambling. The view from the top is well worth the effort - this granite peak is the most westerly in the area giving us big views down towards the Mediterranean. Our route down takes us close to the rock climbing Mecca of the Dent D'Orlu. |
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DAY 3 |
Pic's De Pont Negra (2877m). This is a sustained ridge walk starting at 2200m in the Andorran Ski resort of Pas de Le Casa. Today we encounter boulder fields, scree slopes and possibly the odd snow patch during this stunning walk, which takes us to Spain, France and Andorra! Hopefully we will have time to take in some tax free shopping at the end of the day |
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DAY 4 |
Pic De L'Homme (2464m). This is an excellent remote mountain trek with lots of flora and fauna interest. The cooling waters of the Etang D'Ayguelogue provides us with a perfect base camp for those not wanting to scramble up to the peak. Although not very high we are in the heart of the mountains, so the views are breathtaking. We return back to the bus via a picturesque ridge. |
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DAY 5 |
Today is free to do as you wish. The hardest thing is trying to decide what! There is a cable car from town leading to a good restaurant and mountain biking center. Paragliding, horse riding or enjoying a massage in the Thermes are all options. Those wanting a bit of culture could take the train to the medieval town of Foix. |
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DAY 6 |
Cabanta (2818m). This is a long, but memorable mountain day following the border between France and Andorra. Starting in L'Hospitalet (1500m) we enter the Siscar Valley and climb up to the ridge. This is the land of the Marmot, and sightings are not uncommon. We return by the valley bottom past waterfalls and lakes. |
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DAY 7 |
Pic de St-Barthelemy and Pic de Soularac (2368m). This twin peaked mountain dominates the skyline to the north of Ax - it is just begging to be climbed! The views are remarkable enough from the car park, let alone from the summit. On a good day we can make out the peaks of the Massif Central and the Cévennes. Don't get too distracted as the ridge between the peaks requires quite a bit of concentration! |
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DAY 8 |
Time to leave. After breakfast we transfer to Toulouse airport full of the memories of a fantastic holiday. |
