Gave de Cauterets — Cauterets - Pierrefitte-Nestalas

About

Classe IV-V (V+ crux sections at good flow). One of the steepest classic runs in the French Pyrenees: a continuous, bouldery class IV-V staircase dropping from Cauterets to the Gave de Pau confluence at Pierrefitte, usually run in sub-sections (eauxvives P2-P4). At good snowmelt the classic stretch is rated V/V+, 'a real treat in an infernal gradient with good volume'; the lower P4 is congested but slightly less sustained. Roadside (D920) so scouting and escape are possible, but wood and congested boulder sieves demand constant attention. Experts only in melt. Season: May-July snowmelt Gauge reference: Ring anchor on river-right just upstream of the Pierrefitte bridge: ring intermittently covered = IV-IV+; water at the top mark = IV-V.

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