TOPO

Tos Bessateil via the northern ridges, l’Hospitalet-près-l’Andorre

Hiking

Publié le 4 May 2024 |

We set out to do the Pic de Querforc and Pic de Tossal Mercader in a loop via the Tos Bessateil ridges, but the hike ended at the Tos Bessateil because the snow was too heavy to progress to the summit. Once out of the confines of the Hospitalet valley, the view opens out over the Bésines valley to the east and the Pédourrès and Nérassol massif to the west. From the pass between Tos Bessateil and Pic d'Esquifolaygues, which precedes Pic de Querforc, a combe allows you to cut through to exit and return to the Cabane d'Espousouillette. A race to be rescheduled in better conditions!

Technical summary

► Departure point: l'Hospitalet-près-l'Andorre, Ariège (09)
► Type of route: winter hike
► Distance: 11 km
► Cumulative elevation gain: +920 m
► Cumulative negative elevation gain: -920 m
► Estimated total time: 4h to 5h (snow conditions)
► Min and max altitude: 1470 m / 2362 m
► Marking: the GR to reach the Tos Bessateil ridge, unmarked path on the ridges and on the way back.
► Equipment in place: none
► Equipment required: useful GPS track

Difficulties: Today's difficulty was mainly due to the snow on the route above 2000m, slowing the final progress on the Tos (and leading to the exit by the west).

Access to the place

On the N20 between Ax-les-Thermes and Andorra, stop at l'Hospitalet. Park in the SNCF train station parking lot or in the parking lot opposite the gite d'étape.

Itinerary description

Course

Part 1: Hospitalet to Tos Bessateil (2362m, 2h30)

Take the GR from l'Hospitalet towards the Bésines refuge. The path winds its way upwards, with a few switchbacks, in a generally north-easterly direction. As you pass the Tos Bessateil ridge, leave the GR and climb to the right (Y fork). The path then twists and turns up the ridge, with in places fine views of the Jasse de Bessateil and the Bésines.

The path then returns to the west-facing slope. At the two forks, keep to the left to stay below the ridge. You pass over the first paravalanche installations and further on, on a second couloir equipped with paravalanches (you're above the Espousouillette hut without seeing it), leave the main path and climb straight up the slope to the east to fairly quickly reach the open ridge in front of Tos Bessateil.

Follow the ridge and climb the Tos Bessateil off-piste, quite steep on the final section. From the summit, you can see the remaining route to the Pic de Querforc: a descent to a col and an ascent of the entire north ridge via the Pic d'Esquifolaygues, now impassable with snow.

Part 2: return via the east couloir

Descend from the Tos bessateil to reach the pass in front of the Pic d'Esquifolaygues. From here, head east on the right down the wide valley, which narrows further down into a much steeper couloir. Below this couloir, you'll find the path coming up from the south. Head back north to the paravalanche installations where we had turned off to join the ridge.

Then retrace the ascent in the opposite direction. Alternatively, turn left at the penultimate junction to return to the GR and Hospitalet (see map).