Day 2

Very early start,7 am,it was very misty outside,we followed the same route as for Pimene and turned right halfway up and headed towards the cirque de Estaube.At the col the mist cleared (we climbed above it) and we had spectacular views of the mist-filled valleys below.The temperature started rising and as we were crossing the cirque it cleared.We were by now under the glacier below the hut Tucarroya and one person from the qroup could not keep up so Albert had to send him back to Gavarnie as the most difficult part of the day still lied ahead.The climb to the hut is between two melting glaciers, very very steep on a loose scree path.The Tucarroya hut is almost 3000m high ,the oldest and highest hut on the Pyrenees.It has emergency accomodation ,firewood and a radio.The views are stunning,the glaciar lake beneath and the daunting glaciers of Monte Perdito opposite.The climb down from the hut (we were in Spain now) to the lake is quite steep and once down we crossed two small glaciers and arrived at the Balcon di Pinetta.From there we could see the whole Pinetta valley and our destination for the night ,some 1500m below.The descent was very fast again (we were running late)by the time we reached the hut was 7pm and our feet soles were burning.The Rozanita hut is at 2100m has showers, decent beds, but is noisy.By now we knew each other better and the drinks at the bar were flowing all evening(£3.20 for a round of beers).