Western side of Tourmalet - Roads destroyed

Peak Times

Unfortunately following significant rain and snow melt, large parts of the Pyrenees have suffered major flooding. Two areas that have been devastated by the force of the water/mud/debris are the roads between Lourdes, Luz St Saveur and Bareges. In many cases the roads have completely been destroyed, bridges demolished leaving many villages (including Bareges) being totally cut off. This is likely to be the case for months to come though access from across the Tourmalet is possible.

My home town (Bagneres de Luchon) has also suffered, but not to the extent of other towns and villages in the area. And though there is significant work to do - Luchon will be ready for the Tour in a few weeks time. St Beat (at the foot of the Col du Mente) is in a bad way - but with assistance promised from the region it also should be ready for the Tour.

For anyone planning a trip to include Tourmalet in the near futur I would strongly recommend reconsidering. If anyone has friends or family en-route to the area around Lourdes, Luz or Bareges I would recommend contacting them asap to advise them of the situation.



http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x113dan_lourdes-et-bareges-le-survol-des-degats_news#.UcOCDOdaWSo

Scrumple

..,

Mr Dog

Holy cow. Due in Luz in 2 weeks time to climb the Tourmalet and a few other cols.. is it still worth my dragging my family over to France? Help

marcusjb

Terribly sad news - particularly Bareges looks destroyed, and I know there were a couple of deaths. Just awful.

I will be there in September - hopefully things will have been somewhat repaired by then.

Mr Dog

So the Tourmalet is goer from the east. Anyone know about?????
Col d'Aubisque
Col du Soulor
Col d'Aspin
Luz Ardiden
Hautacam

If you have any info it would be greatly appreciated

Peak Times

Portillon - Open
Mente - Open
Ported d'Aspet - Open
Port du Bales - Open
Peyresourde - Open
Louron-Azet - Open
Hourquette d'Ancizan - Open
Aspin - Open
Tourmalet via La Mongie - Open (gendarmes only allowing workers and residents down to Bareges)
Soulor - Open
Aubisque - Open
Marie-Blanque - Open

Stage 9 of the Tour is secure :-)

Mr Dog

Thanks Peak Times. Have decided to go anyway.. love the place and the people. I'd rather spend my euros there than in some soulless beach resort.
Will climb everything I can.