Somewhat overshadowed by Montsent de Pallars, it is a much more skiable peak with fewer technical difficulties than its giant neighbor.
DADES TÈCNIQUES
DESCRIPTION
We leave the shelter sliding towards the Frescau lake. We cross it and continue descending towards the southeast trying not to lose height in the direction of the Bony de Cornera mountain range. We head towards the rocky ridge where we can distinguish the Pas de l’Ós, the only obvious snow pass. If the snow is hard, we will take off our skis and if necessary we will put on crampons to gain the fifty meters of difference in level to cross this rocky band. Just above it is the so-called CEPS pass, a narrow and steep channel that also allows us to overcome the ridge. Once we have overcome this rocky part, we reach the Coma de l’Espós by gliding at the height of the Font Blanca pond. We go up the valley to the Col de la Coma de l’Espós (2638 m) and turn south to follow the wide ridge that will bring us closer to the summit of Montorroio (2858 m). In the last 100 m of elevation gain to the summit there is a rocky outcrop which, with little snow, forces us to take off our skis and make a small climb. We can avoid it by accessing the summit through its west face, which is the one we will follow on the way down. We start the descent following the south-west ridge that borders the Raspes del Montorroio in order to avoid the rocky and steeper part of the north-west slope of the Pic. At approximately elevation 2250 we will go to the pass located in the north which will take us directly to the Gento reservoir. We cross it and go back to the refuge (follow directions from itinerary 1.1).
SAFETY AND PRACTICAL ADVICE
The critical passage of the route is located at Pas de l’Ós. We must not face it with clear instability conditions especially in situations with recent cold or windblown snow as its shady orientation causes instability conditions to persist longer. Another point to consider carefully is the descent from Montorroio. We do not venture to ski the northwest face if we are not sure of its stability. In case of marked instability, it is advisable to undo the ascent route to the col, thus avoiding the large northwest face.
