Refuge du Portillon to Plateau of Aiguallut.
This morning was very windy. And then foggy and windy.
Walking across the dam and then up
Looking back on Lac du Portillon
Near the top
It was about 1.5 hour climb up to Col Inferieur de Literole (2983 meters) the highest pass on the HRP.
Col Inferieur de Literole (2983 meters)
It was very foggy at top. The book doesn’t give much hint of which might be the best way down. The fog parted a few times so we could get a glimpse of our options. We down climbed some boulders to our right which got us to a steep snow field. It didn’t look too bad. Before we put on our microspikes a very fit guy passed us and jumped onto the snow. He immediately stopped and got out his ice axe and quickly stepped downhill. He slid a couple times but stayed upright. Once we got out there it was WAY more sketchy than it looked. The snow was soft but not soft enough. Jim went slowly. I went even slower. It felt like forever and I was really relieved when I got to the island of rocks.
The fast guy
I did not like this. Turning around didn’t seem to be an option. Luckily I don’t think I would have died if I slipped and went sliding down.
The rest of the snow fields were not scary.
Lago de Literola
After several snow fields it was boulders and scree for hours.
Just like yesterday we had constantly changing views. The fog would part, then roll back in. Sometimes I could get my phone out in time to take a photo. Sometimes not. It was incredible and never the same for more than a few minutes.
Finally we got to the road and the huge hotel/restaurant complex of Hospital de Benasque. This hospital is not what we think of in America. We stopped but didn’t get anything. We walked another hour to the “place where the road ends.” It is at the end of the road and the start of the trail up the tallest peak in the Pyrenees, Pico d’Aneto. This is a very popular hike and There is a small sandwich and snack cafe. We sat in the lounge chairs and ate a bag of potato chips, can of olives and chorizo sandwiches. Then we ordered a couple more sandwiches for tomorrow. One for breakfast and one for lunch. A group of Spaniards noticed our ZPACKS packs. They had heard of the brand but had never actually seen any of the gear. We were happy to talk it up because I love their stuff.
A ZPacks commercial.
Our original plan was to end the day at Refugio de la Renclusa. But it’s a 40 minute side trip each way. It’s Saturday night so it will be crowded. The weather is good and I want to sleep in my tent again.
This water is from the melting Aneto glacier. It all goes into a big hole (Forau de Aiguallut) and disappears.
Plan d’Aiguallut with views of Pico d’Aneto and it’s glaciers.
nancyhikes 
Nancy, I am loving following your blog and seeing your pictures! The high, craggy peaks, the lush green valleys, the people! Looks like you are making incredible memories!
– Julie from Burstarse Falls Hike
It’s a very special place.
Very cool!!
I bet you slept hard after that day..
More great photos … l’Hopital de Benasque is accessible by road and rather too snooty for us walkers..
That’s the feeling we got. Plus there was food 1 hour closer to the day’s end.
Beautiful, Nancy. I actually did not think that you had a “sketchiness limit”, so that was something new to me. This looks like all of the things that you love in your adventures. Great photos. Miss you! And PS–all well on Shipton Ct. 🙂
I really don’t like getting that close to the edge. Miss you too.
Congratulations for this day. We did it last year with kids and it was a very long downhill…
I’m sure the kids had an easier time than I did!
I’m with Sharell. Didn’t know you had a “sketchiness limit”. It must have been scary.
Ha ha!
That looks well past my sketchiness limit. And I remember some your really sketchy stuff with Wire last year.