Col du Tourmalet

[Oliwoof]

Short video taken on a ride out to investigate the condition of the road to Col du Tourmalet. As it turned out the road was only partially clear 1km out of La Mongie, although we had to ride round the 'Route Barree' sign. However we did manage to get above the cloud line and find some sun and much needed warmth.

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

 

[timmynich]

Blimey! I'm heading over there in two weeks. I've even bought a Revit Tornado summer jacket - looks like I can leave it at home!
I crossed the pyrenees at three points this time last year and there were a few patches of snow but nothing like that. It could still be winter.
I presume spring's just a bit late?

 

[John Armstrong]

Best you keep an eye on this web-cam to see if thermals or heated clothing needs to be taken:

http://www.picdumidi.com/web/fr/12-webcam.php

7:20 today gives a good idea as in most of the rest you can't see anything apart from the cloud.

 

[Oliwoof]

Conseil Général Hautes-Pyrénées say the work to open Col du Tourmalet will probably take another two weeks, depending on the amount of new snow that is forecast for this weekend. It is estimated the depth of snow to be 10.5 metres just below the summit approached from La Mongie.

The only routes still closed are Col du Tourmalet and Col d'Aubisque. We will keep you all posted with progress.

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

 

[grumpy]

I was on Alp du Huez last Tuesday totally clear of snow, I did intend to go over Galibier but enquiries were doubtful this week, Iseran also shut, there was no idea of when they would be open.

 

[2 wheel humvee]

It'll be scorchio by September
3rd time lucky?

 

[timmynich]

Cheers for the info guys.
John, I've just checked the webcam - OMFG I better take my snowboard!
Hopefully summers's just around the corner. I've got a plan B organised that just involves me heading south until it gets warm. I was planning to swan around the Picos and Pyrenees but I believe Extremadura's quite pleasant this time of year! The roads look great on google earth. Don't fancy coming back with frostbite in my extremities.

 

[Oliwoof]

It will probably be a few more weeks before the Col is open, the road has been ploughed but the high walls of snow are unstable. Other Cols above 1800m are also still closed

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

 

[Oliwoof]

Rode up to the Col du Tourmalet form La Mongie and this is short film clip we took on the way down. It will be a while before the stretch of road into Barèges is open as there is still quite a bit of snow on the road and land slides.

http://www.youtube.com/audio?video_referrer=watch&v=CoL9fzF6Z8A

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

 

[WillSp]

It looks like the road from Luz to Col du Tourmalet (D918) will not be open this year. Due to recent heavy rain and snow melt, the village Barèges has been badly damaged.
The river caused a massive landslide and diverted the river partly through the town, roads and houses have been washed away. Looks like it will be some time before its open again. You can get to the Tourmalet via the La Mongie route still.

 

[MasterDabber]

It looks grim....

http://www.velopeloton.com/articles.html/_/pyrenees-2/tourmalet-great-flood

 

[russ996duke]

I was on Alp du Huez last Tuesday totally clear of snow, I did intend to go over Galibier but enquiries were doubtful this week, Iseran also shut, there was no idea of when they would be open.

all alp de nord cols open now including col d'iseran as at friday night!

will be interesting to see how much snow there is around, off out there this sunday,may take my season lift pass!

 

[indylead]

You can get to the Tourmalet via the La Mongie route still.

Just to add - the climb up has a lot of gravel on the road at the moment. That, combined with the wet roads, wandering llamas, cows, cyclists and low cloud made for an exciting ride.

 

[Oliwoof]

The road from La Mongie over Col du Tourmalet giving access Barèges only will open Saturday 13 July, there is still no access from Luz Saint Sauveur. The Geant has also been positioned in his summer resting place.

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

 

[WillSp]

The road is now open both ways from Tourmalet and Luz, but in parts the surface is very rough, they have done a great job when you see the destruction of the flood.
A few photos on the link.
Will
https://picasaweb.google.com/117593757311779894376/Bareges?authkey=Gv1sRgCNf1tIm3ocuj-QE

 

[The G Man]

I went over it on the 14th of July - not being aware there had been any sort of problem.

So much for trip planning & research!

It was a bit slippery/challenging in places - particularly passing some stuck cars (sign said 4x4s only), but it was passable.

G

 

[Oliwoof]

The route is now open, but care is needed as some of the roads are still under construction. There are many impressive large pieces of machinery working in the valley to re-route the stream and rebuild the roads. Also the road to Cauteret is also open to traffic from this weekend.
http://http://pyreneesmotorcycletours.blogspot.fr/2013/07/the-force-of-nature.html

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

 

[2 wheel humvee]

The route is now open, but care is needed as some of the roads are still under construction. There are many impressive large pieces of machinery working in the valley to re-route the stream and rebuild the roads. Also the road to Cauteret is also open to traffic from this weekend.
http://http://pyreneesmotorcycletours.blogspot.fr/2013/07/the-force-of-nature.html

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

Good news, thank you, I cannot get your link to work

 

[Paul Rochdale]

The road from La Mongie over Col du Tourmalet giving access Barèges only will open Saturday 13 July, there is still no access from Luz Saint Sauveur. The Geant has also been positioned in his summer resting place.

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

Wasn't that stolen a few years ago?

 

[Oliwoof]

The route is now open, but care is needed as some of the roads are still under construction. There are many impressive large pieces of machinery working in the valley to re-route the stream and rebuild the roads. Also the road to Cauteret is also open to traffic from this weekend.
http://http://pyreneesmotorcycletours.blogspot.fr/2013/07/the-force-of-nature.html

Cheers, Phil
Pyrenees Motorcycle Tours
ride the best roads

Try it now
http://pyreneesmotorcycletours.blogspot.fr/2013/07/the-force-of-nature.html