🎤Micro-sentier au Refuge d'Ayous ep.1

📄 Micro-Trail to the Ayous Refuge – Episode 1 📅 December 28, 2025 - With the road closed before Lake Bious-Artigues, the hike begins on foot, starting at the bend in the road, then continuing from the village of Gabas. Sub-zero temperatures, icy road, snow appears from Lake Bious-Artigues onwards and accompanies the entire ascent to the Ayous Refuge. I chose not to take snowshoes but only crampons, just in case, as I'm counting on icy snow on a well-tracked trail. Conditions are good and visibility is clear. The hike is about 10 km from Gabas, taking a little over 3 hours at a leisurely pace, adapted to the snowy terrain. Progress is steady, without rushing. Arriving at the refuge marks a change of pace. The Micro-Trail unfolds here at the refuge, following the arrivals of hikers throughout the day and into the late afternoon. From the refuge, the view of the Pic du Midi d’Ossau, a massive and ever-present feature of the landscape, is direct and breathtaking. This first episode ends with the arrival. Episode 2 will recount the night spent there, the following morning, and the encounter with Melvin, a hiker who chose to bivouac outdoors in the snow.