Lakes of Arriel-Gran Diagonal

Approach

Trailhead: Mountain Hut of Respomuso (2130m) or Dam of La Sarra (1440m).
The approach to Respomuso from Dam of La Sarra: 2h 40min. In the middle is the bifurcation to Lakes of Arriel.
See my route in Respomuso-Picos del Infierno for complete information.

There is another possible approach from the french side (refuge de Larribet and cirque de Batcrabère). This route goes to the col Noir and from there is the same route across the gran diagonal.

Route Description

Slope: 1720m or 1014m (from Respomuso)
Time to summit: 5h from Respomuso, 5h 30 min from La Sarra.
Face: west ridge.

From Respomuso (2130m) go to the west following the mark of GR bordering the dam. After the dam the way go in the top part of the ravine of river Aguas Limpias and for a path in the hillside we reach the first lake of Arriel.

From La Sarra an important turn aside to whom there will be necessary to be very attentive in that a plate in the wall will indicate towards the rigth side ibones de Arriel (left side 1h). The way is easy initially for a nice forest but soon we will appear in a channel of stones with hard slope, it is barranco de Arriel (Arriel's ravine). We will follow the cairns (and marks of red paint) and in the middle part we will see the marks that take to us towards the right (east) for a narrow path in the hillside.

Important: you must be carefull for take the route of red marks out of the path in the middle of ravine (if you go seeing the path in the ground you don't look the desviation and you must turn back from the top of the ravine).

We will come this way to the Arriel's first lake to 2170m.
After leaving the second lake to the right we will avoid the climb towards Arriel's top lake. You must to follow the path what it border the lake for below and the right. After the final of the lake we will look towards the right the corridor (cairns) for the way that leads to Arriel's frozen lake (2405m) for a hard slope on free rock with drafts towards the left side.
The lake is bordering for the north (left side) to the cirque of Brecha Latour. For a rock spur we will come to the refuge or vivac of Michaud (free, 6 places) at 2700m.

Important: the cave of Michaud it's the key to the entry in Gran Diagonal and it's under a great rock. You must follow the cairns that go to the refuge with a little desviation to the right before the turn to the left side.

We leave the hill towards the left side for one channel and in zig-zag for the hillside we will come to a slightly visible gap.

Very important: to find this point is easiest if we go to the left side but can go out towards the right to a ridge of degree III (the ridge Packe-Russell). If you don't see the cairns and you don't descent a bit of meters you're wrong. The diagonal it's visible in this point in the left side for a good orientation.

After a small decrease we appear in the Gran Diagonal (Great Diagonal) that we will continue mending almost until the end in Isards's gap (if we leave the gap behind and we come to the end is sufficient in spite of going a bit back).
Now we have to climb over a concave wall (grade I) to the right and finally for the north buttress it takes us to the summit (3151m).

Final important consideration: many people don't find the channel (concave wall) in the first attempt but you must turn back if you find some difficulty. The final channel it's white rock and it's a easy climb (if you find steps of grade II or vertical walls, you're in the Brecha d'Isards, don't try the climb for this dangerous point!). The begin of the chanel it's in the middle of a little path signaled with two great cairns in one side.

Gran Diagonal

The great diagonal is a very spectacular itinerary hung on the impressive north-west face of the Balaitous. Nobody must try this itinerary with snow or ice (it is to have desire of committing suicide).
It is curious that is very difficult to find photos in books or Internet of the diagonal and it's important to know that it is a simple itinerary though it is very exposed. The persons who do not know it can to return on having seen the first view of the diagonal hung on the immense wall.

Pictures of Lakes of Arriel

The lakes (or ibones) de Arriel are one of the nice places of the zone and many people make a hike to this not for mountaineering. For the mountaineers are a valious point of orientation of the routes (and for enjoy the view of course)

Essential Gear

In winter crampons, ice-axe, harness and rope though this route it's not advisable for this mount in winter because the Gran Diagonal with snow is dangerous (diagonal itinerary with 30º or 40º, exposed).
No requeriments generally in summer but the helmet is advisable in the last climb for the dangerous stones that it falling here.

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Images

View Lakes of Arriel-Gran Diagonal Image Gallery - 28 Images