Diente de Alba

Overview

The Diente de Alba ( 3136m), Dawn's tooth, is the second main summit of the western part of Maladeta Massif after the Pico de Alba (3118m) in the ridge to Maladetas Occidentales. The route it's possible across the two cols with the rest of the ridge, the collado inferior de Alba (3020m) at west and the collado superior de Alba (3080m) at East but the easiest is the last option (F.+) because the other is harder (P.D.+).

In the west ridge exists a combination with the climb of Pico de Alba, across collado inferior, but the wall is only for expert rock climbers (IV-) and generally the people make a rappel from the summit of Pico de Alba after its climb, if they want to make both summits in the same day. Another secondary summit exists in its ridge in direction to collado superior and it's call Muela de Alba. (3118m), Dawn's molar. Near of the collado inferior exists other small summits, not official in the list of peaks of 3000m, named Colmillos de Alba, really a cracked ridge with two aiguilles.

Getting There

Approach to Benasque from Huesca: in the road on direction to Barbastro (N-240). After Barbastro we'll follow the indication to valley of Benasque to the C-1311 to Graus and the C-139 to Benasque across the beautiful gorge of Congosto de Ventanillo.

-Puente de Cregüeña (1490m): in the road from Benasque to Hospital de Benasque we'll take the crossroad to Baños de Benasque, before the Puente de Lliterola, and in the road we'll take the first track to right. The forest track descent to a first bridge where we'll don't cross and we'll follow the track to right to Puente de Cregüeña with a signal of the peak near of a hut.

-La Besurta (1890m): the entry of North of Maladeta Massif is the same of normal route of Aneto across Refuge La Renclusa. La Besurta is easy of reach from Benasque following to Hospital de Benasque and taking the road signalled at right side before the descent to Hospital.

Red Tape

Located in the Natural Park of Posets-Maladeta with rules about conservation.

Very important: the road of La Besurta is closed in winter and early in the spring (it's the pist of sky-cross county with snow). From june it's opened. From july to september you can't access with your car and you must use the bus to la Besurta.
In the acces to south route (Puente de Cregüeña) don't exists restrictions but the route is very long.

Camping

Camping is not allowed, it's forbidden in the natural park. The camping is permited in Pla de Senarta (ayuntamiento de Benasque, a little tax of 3-4 €) or the nearby Camping of Aneto.

The night in La Besurta is a good option in the vehicle but you can't camp with the tent or vivac.

The refuge of La Renclusa is a good option, specially in spring with the road closed (1h45min of walk to the refuge but from La Besurta with the road opened it's only a easy walk of 40 minutes). In winter is closed (only a little hut for emergency).

A lot hotels in the village of Benasque.

External Links

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Images

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