ROUTE 11: RESPOMUSO REF. – IBONES DE BACHIMAÑA REF.
Respomuso Ref. - Llena Cantal Pass - Infierno Pass - Ibones de Bachimaña Ref.
Info
- Time4h 40'
- Vertical rise830 m
- Vertical descent780 m
- Horizontal distance10,5 Km
- Type of journeyMountain Crossing
- Severity of the natural environment4
- Orientation2
- Difficulty in movement4
- Amount of effort required3
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Description
This walk, indicated throughout as GR 11 long distance footpath, sets off from Respomuso refuge (2200 m) and heads towards the end of the reservoir. We pass by the old Alfonso XIII or Piedrafita refuge (2150 m), now closed, and cross the Campo Plano torrent (in order to cross the river we can go towards Campo Plano lake where there is a bridge near the dam). We head in a southeasterly direction up the small lateral valley of Llena Cantal over grassland. The first steep climb of the day is before Ibón de Llena Cantal (2445 m), which we border around on the east side. The climb becomes harder and the pasture becomes scree, and about half way up we border the Tebarrai peak walls and Cuello de Llena Cantal (2765 m). The last climb before reaching the mountaintop is a steep earthy channel that is usually full of snow until well into the summer. This could require the use of crampons and ice axes, and it is therefore best to find out beforehand and be prudent.
At the other side of the mountaintop the route continues gently downwards over stony ground surrounding the Tebarrai lake, leading a few minutes later to Collado del Infierno (2722 m) (crossing with routes 11 and 25). We head down over the rock field in an easterly direction towards Ibones Azules that are outlined to the north (Azul Alto, 2406 m). After crossing a rocky slope we reach the dam of the second lake (Azul Baxo, 2360 m). The path continues parallel to the river leading out of the lake. Near Ibón Alto de Bachimaña we should see the path which joins from the left, leading to Marcadau Pass (crossing with routes 11, 17, 25 and 34). We cross the fast-flowing stream and border round the right side of the lakes Bachimaña Alto and Baxo. All that remains is to cross the dam at Bachimaña Baxo and head towards Ibones de Bachimaña refuge (2197 m), which is visible from a high point next to the lake.