Pic Schrader
3,177 m
France, Spain
Also known as Bachimala, Schrader, +1Also known as
Bachimala · Schrader · Bachimala / Schrader
- Elevation
- 3,177 m
- Prominence
- 639 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Sep
- Routes
- 1
Routes
1The Spanish normal route from the head of the Gistaín (Chistau) valley: forest and pasture paths from the Refugio de Viadós (about 1,750 m) to the Paso de la Gatera (2,538 m), a traverse below the Punta del Sabre, a long, steep scree slope on the W side and a short, airy ridge to the summit. About 1,500–1,650 m of ascent, 3½–5 hours up.
Elevation Profile
- Distance
- 6.9 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +1,512 m
- −65 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 3,177 m
- Time Up
- 6h 02m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 4h 07m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From San Juan de Plan, a narrow but drivable dirt track of about 10–12 km climbs the Zinqueta valley to the Refugio de Viadós (about 1,750 m); park at the end of the track below the refuge, or in summer a little lower. The path starts behind the refuge (signpost for Plano de Tabernés, Bachimala and Señal de Viadós) and climbs steep zigzags through pine forest. After 15–20 minutes leave the left-hand branch to Tabernés and continue north-north-east past the Cabaña del Sarrau (about 30 minutes), then over grassy slopes in a wide curve, skirting the Señal de Viadós on its left, to the Paso de la Gatera (Señal de Viadós, about 2,538 m), about 1 h 40 min. From the pass head north-west. Cairns are sparse at first, then a clear path traverses below the ridge of the Punta del Sabre into a hollow that holds old snow, where the path from Tabernés joins. At about 2,700 m keep left (easier, a slight detour) rather than right (more direct, loose rock needing the hands), go round the W spur on its left, and climb the W scree slope: about 400 m of steep, stony but well-trodden path from about 2,800 m. It reaches the ridge, which is followed right to the summit; the ridge is airy but fairly broad, with 15–20 m of easy scrambling. Allow 3½–5 hours from the refuge. Descend the same way, 3–4 hours. There is no water above the refuge, and accessible snow patches are increasingly rare in summer. In rain, snow or strong wind the final ridge needs care. A harder alternative climbs from the col at the foot of the Punta del Sabre by two short chimneys (II) over the Punta del Sabre (3,136 m) and along the ridge (PD-).
Start
Refugio de Viadós1,730 m
- No public transport to Viadós; buses run to Aínsa and some lines serve the Gistaín valley villages, but none to the track end were found.
- Parking at the trailhead
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Refugio de Viadós → Pic Schrader | 6.9 | 1,512 | 65 | 6h 02m |
Waypoints
- Parking: Refugio de Viadós1,730 m
Parking at the end of the dirt track just below the refuge
- Waypoint: Cabaña del Sarrau2,031 m
Shepherds' hut about 30 min above the refuge
- Col: Paso de la Gatera2,540 m
- Summit: Pic Schrader3,177 m
Key Passages
- Paso de la Gatera (Señal de Viadós)
- Long, steep W scree slope from about 2,800 m
- Short airy summit ridge (15–20 m of easy scrambling)
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 75%Overview
The Gran Bachimala or Pic Schrader (3,177 m), highest of a chain of nine 3,000 m tops on the France–Spain border at the head of the Gistaín valley. A long but non-technical day from the Refugio de Viadós, with a steep scree slope and a short airy ridge.
Pic Schrader, known in Spain as the Gran Bachimala and in France as the Grand Batchimale, is the culminating point of a north–south border ridge between the Port de la Pez and the Port d'Aygues-Tortes, which carries no fewer than nine summits above 3,000 m. It closes the head of the Gistaín (Chistau) valley in Aragon, opposite Posets, and looks down on the French Val du Louron to the east. The French name honours the geographer and cartographer Franz Schrader, who climbed it in 1878.
On the Spanish side the mountain is a big, stony whaleback. The normal route from the Refugio de Viadós has no real technical difficulty, but it involves 1,500–1,650 m of ascent, a long steep scree slope and a short exposed ridge, and there is no water above the refuge. The view takes in Posets, the Maladeta massif, Perdiguero, Monte Perdido and the Vignemale.
From France the approach from the Refuge de la Soula is longer and wilder, with few cairns above the Port d'Aygues-Tortes. Climbers traverse the full Batchimale crest (PD to PD+) or go over the Punta del Sabre.
Climbing Notes
Fitness for a 6½–8 hour day with up to 1,650 m of ascent is the main requirement. Sure-footedness on long loose scree and a steady head for the short summit ridge are needed, and a helmet is sensible. Carry all your water. Many people drive to Viadós the evening before and stay at the refuge or the Forcallo campsite to start early, as afternoon storms often build over Posets.
The route is best from July to September, once the snow has gone from the W slope; earlier, crampons and an ice axe are needed. The dirt track to Viadós is narrow and slow, and the refuge is open mainly in summer and at Easter. From France, plan two days via the Refuge de la Soula.
History
The first ascent was made in 1878 by Franz Schrader with his guide Henri Passet. On 10 September 1878 Henry Russell, Célestin Passet and Vincent Grassy made the second ascent, climbing the east ridge of the Punta del Sabre and finishing by the west side. Albert and George Cadier made another early ascent on 12 August 1902, with the first traverse of the south crest.
Season
Best Jul–Sep- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Not advisable
- April: Not advisable
- May: Not advisable
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Best (best window)
- October: Possible
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Winter; ski touring only
- Feb
- Winter; ski touring only
- Mar
- Ski touring
- Apr
- Ski touring; Viadós may open at Easter
- May
- Snow on the upper slopes
- Jun
- Snow in the hollow and on the W slope; crampons often needed
- Jul
- Viadós refuge open; afternoon storms
- Sep
- Refuge open until the end of September
- Oct
- Refuge closed; early snow possible
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- Refugio de Viadós (private): book by phone (+34 974 341 613) or via viados.es; a small unstaffed shelter above the refuge is open when it is closed.
- Rules
- Part of the Gistaín valley around Viadós lies in the Parque Natural Posets-Maladeta; park regulations apply
- Getting There
Plan and San Juan de Plan (Gistaín valley, Huesca)
Zaragoza (ZAZ); Lleida-Alguaire (ILD); Toulouse (TLS)
- Car: A-138 towards Bielsa, turn east at Salinas to Plan and San Juan de Plan, then the narrow dirt track of about 10–12 km to Viadós
- From France: road to the Pont du Prat in the Val du Louron and a path to the Refuge de la Soula
- No public transport to Viadós was found
Hazards
- Rockfall
- Exposure
- Weather
- Remoteness
Huts & Shelters
1- 1,760 m
Refugio de ViadósRefugeStaffed
70 beds · Easter and following weekends, and July to September