Pic Bacqué (2093m) and descent via the Grotte De L'Annès -overview

Pic Bacqué (highest point) with the ascent col to the left and the long slope used for the descent on the right.

Easily identifiable from the village, Pic Bacqué occupies a prominent position in the Cirque, just behind the highly accentuated Tourelles. It is rarely visited, however, and this is a shame, as the views from the top are exceptional and the ascent route leads walkers into a landscape that, though pastoral in nature, affords an strong feeling of being out there in the wilderness. The first part of the excursion, like the route to Bricoutou, takes the charming valley of L'Annès but continues further in search of the col that gives access to the hidden, hanging valley below the peak. Some scrambling is required during the final 15 minutes of the ascent but this only adds to the adventure*1. It is, of course, possible to descend by reversing the ascent. In this description, however, I propose an alternative descent that creates a loop

Start Timing Denivelation Terrain Season

Parking at Labrénére

Summit: 3h Descent via the cave: 3h

1025m Pastoral mountain path. Pathless route finding on easy terrain. Some scrambling.

May - October

Pic Bacqué (2093m) and descent via the Grotte De L'Annès– the route

back to the valley of L'Annès passing a curious cave. As with the majority of walks in this collection good visibility will make navigation far easier. Similarly, a good level of fitness and confidence in a mountainous terrain are virtual prerequisites.

From the Parking at Labrénére follow the route to Pic Bricoutou as far as “waypoint 4” where the traverse to the Col D’Escourets begins. Waypoint 1: (N42 53.441 W0 39.895; alt. 1728m) leave the route to Bricoutou at this point and head SW towards a stone shed with a water trough (almost certainly the saloir for the shepherd's cabin that will be

obvious over to the right on account of the caravan parked outside!) At the saloir turn right towards the main cabane. Before going too far, however, turn back left, going SW again, to flank a small hill that separates the cabane from a minor valley with stream which is followed to where it forks. A dry river bed goes off to the right and leads to an area of boulders beyond which a wide col can be seen in the ridge to the NW. Walk through the boulders keeping the main mound on the right. On its far side strike out NW across mountain pasture towards the obvious depression in the ridge which has to be passed in order to gain the hanging valley below Pic Bacqué. There are no cairns but vague paths can be found especially as the ground steepens and the col is reached about an hour after leaving the route to Bricoutou.

The stone saloir (cheese store)

Waypoint 2: (N42 53.435 W0 40.467; alt. 1923m) Looking WNW from this, the access col, Pic Bacqué stands out clearly, with another unnamed col on its left or southern side. This provides the next objective of the ascension.*2 To reach it, contour the slope on the left in order to lose as little height as possible, descending into the hanging valley before climbing the rocky, vegetated slopes on the far side.

Attacking the climb up to Bacqué’s south col

Left : A well-earned rest on the summit. Above: the summits of Acherito, Petragem

and Ansabere seen from Bacqué

Waypoint 3: (N42 53.418 W0 40.716; alt.2015) – The South Col. Here, a wall of limestone appears to bar the way to the peak, but an obvious break allows access to the summit slopes by a moderate scramble. Choosing your line carefully, trend left towards the south ridge which should be followed to the top.

Waypoint 4: (N42 53.501 W0 40.732; alt. 2093m) Pic Bacqué. There should be no rush to leave this particular spot, even if there were no need for a breather! The views must be savoured: looking NW the vista is dominated by the Pic D’Ansabere; to the N the barren points of the Tourelles and, in the distance, the village of Lescun while in the East the inevitable Pic Du Midi D’Ossau comes into view beyond Labigouer. Closer at hand, peering down into the valley of Lazerque proves a dizzying experience.

Descent to the hanging valley via the wide NE ridge

If preferred, the descent can, of course, be made by reversing the way up but, to continue the loop, go N along the summit ridge until it is possible to go down NE on a wide ridge of rock and vegetation leading back to the hanging valley. There is no path on this section of the route but the way down should be obvious.

Steep ground, when encountered, can be avoided by trending either to the left or the right. Near the bottom of the ridge, however, it is necessary to veer left towards a rocky bar and then, keeping the rocks on the left, continue down to the valley floor. From there continue E crossing a stream bed and climbing the grassy slope on the other side. Still without paths or cairns, the best landmark in good visibility is the distant village of Lescun. Head straight for it descending the grassy slope in a generally NE direction to what appears to be a col to the right a pointed hill. Waypoint 5: (N42 53.686 W0 40.236; alt. 1813m) From this, the col, carry on down following a small stream before trending right to an obvious shoulder. Continue to trend right, generally SE, traversing the hillside, going down

Going down the grassy slope with Lescun in the distance.

The Grotte De L'Annès – definitely not five star accommodation!

a little before rising up to a second shoulder. Paths now guide the way as the trail carries on winding round to the Valley De L'Annès. Just before it is reached, however, about an hour after leaving the summit, look for the Grotte De L'Annès on the left, slightly above the path. This is…

Waypoint 6: (N42 53.577 W0 39.974; alt. 1770m). After visiting the cave regain the path and go down to the stream running down the valley. Cross over and climb back up to “waypoint 1” thus completing the loop. The obvious way to get back to the car park at Labrénére is to return the same way. Another variant, which turns the whole excursion into one magnificent figure-of-eight walk, involves following the

Bricoutou trail as far as the Col D’Escourets. From this point it is possible to return via the Cabanes of Penot, Itchaxe and the valley of Labrénére as described in the “Pic Bricoutou (1815m) – the route”. *1 The scrambling can be avoided by a less technical, though more arduous, alternative. This involves going further down the hanging valley to the base of the ridge that used as a descent. It can then be exploited to gain access to the summit. *2 The South Col of Pic Bacqué provides a steep descent into the Valley of Lazerque but should only be attempted by confident mountain walkers.