Access to the Colomina refuge is not an easy route as there are several key steps that are not feasible in all conditions of stability. We will cross, on several occasions, through complex terrain.
Once at the shelter, the possibilities for activities and crossings are enormous, with the ascent of the various “giants” of the Vall Fosca highlighted.
DADES TÈCNIQUES
DESCRIPTION
A classic route of moderate difficulty that starts at the dam and ascends along the Pigolo channel to the upper station of the cable car. You can opt for tunnels if there is little snow or flank at the same altitude to Estany Gento as an alternative when there is too much snow. One option is to go up to the Coma d’Espós lake and go down to the dam. From the cable car station, avoid the summer road and head north, climbing a 100 m high ridge. You can then continue towards the refuge, with the option of following the summer path if the snow is well stabilised until you reach the Portella spring, turning towards the Colomina refuge.
Once at the hut, the possibilities for activities and traverses are enormous, especially the ascent of the various ” high peaks ” of the Vall Fosca.
SAFETY AND PRACTICAL ADVICE
The first sector to assess is the state of the Pigolo canal. It is not a favorable area for natural avalanche activity, but we can trigger some unstable plate at the top. The second delicate section is the rocky outcrop that must be overcome at the Estany Gento dam. Although its orientation means that the snow stabilizes quickly, after snowfalls from the north it forms accumulations of windy snow that must be allowed to stabilize.
