We set out to climb the Pic de la Cabaneta from the Vall d'Incles, but the snow conditions decided otherwise. Above the Siscaro ponds, the day's itinerary took us to the Pas de las Vaques to follow the ridge to the small summit of Tossal d'Incles at 2568m. A little further on, there's a nice south-west-facing slope to ski, before improvising in the forest to get back to the valley floor. While the skiing isn't exceptional, the hike offers beautiful scenery, from the Siscaro refuge to the ridges sculpted by snow cornices.
Crête aux corniches vers le Tossal d’Incles
Technical summary
Itinerary
Ski touring. 1000m ascent, 7 km distance (ascent). Maximum altitude of 2568m at the summit of Tossal d'Inclès.
Geographical situation
Departure from Soldeu, at the entrance to Vall d'Incles, in the parish of Canillo, Andorra.
Technical difficulties
2 or 3 fairly short but steep ascents of 30° max.
Orientation
North side ascent, south-west side ski descent
Gear and equipments
Knives are needed for the steeper, more northerly and possibly harder sections.
General review
A short tour of Vall d'Incles
Access to the place
At Soldeu, between Canillo and Col d'Envalira, enter Vall d'Incles. The road to the valley floor is closed in winter. Park in the parking lot before the first houses.
Itinerary description
Hiking to the start 30'
The route is up to the Pont de la Badalosa. From the parking lot, 3 options depending on snow conditions. Option 1: climb above the road on the sunnier left-hand side. Option 2: slide down the road if snow-covered. Option 3: take the shadier forest path on the east side.
Course
Part 1: Siscaro hut (2145m, 45' to 1h)
From the Badalosa bridge, follow the wide track up towards the valley floor and a little further up, fork right, following the sign for the Siscaro hut. The trail gradually climbs and enters the undergrowth. The small valley narrows and the slope becomes steeper in places. You end up on a wide flat that joins the basin where the hut is located, facing south and in front of a large frozen pond.
Part 2: Siscaro pond (2324m, 30' to 45')
From the hut, head due south to cross the frozen pond and climb up the other side, bending slightly to the left. Aim for an obvious couloir, visible from afar, which will enable you to cross the ridge. Below the steeper couloir (30/35°), climb up in increasingly shorter switchbacks. You then come out into another basin where the Siscaro ponds lie.
3rd part: Pas de les Vaques (2572m, 45')
Continue southwards, this time aiming for the couloir that joins the col on the ridge. Cross the pond and climb the successive undulations before tackling the final, slightly steeper ramp. After a series of steep switchbacks, you come out on the ridge at Pas de les Vaques, with a fine panoramic view of the Andorran peaks to the south.
Part 4: Tossal d'Incles (2568m, 15') and south-west descent
Pass over the south-facing slope and slide down towards the north-west, aiming for the Tossal d'Incles. It climbs very slightly at the end. You'll pass over some superb ledges with views to the north of Vall d'Incles, Rulhe and Pic Negre de Juclar. At the top of Tossal d'Incles, you can take off your skis and put them on for the descent.
First slide due north, staying as high as possible on the ridge that extends the Tossal d'Incles. Then down the wide slope to the south-west until you reach the forest. The rest is a matter of improvising between the trees, keeping a westerly heading. Much lower down, you come across a snow-covered track that heads north again. End of the route.
Back
Glide along the snow-covered trail back to the approach path. Then return to the starting point, pushing a little on the poles and canarding 2 or 3 times upwards. If the road is well snow-covered, slide back to the starting parking lot, pushing a little on the poles.
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