Plomb Du Cantal
  • Plomb Du Cantal
  • 1855 m.
  • Primary factor 774 m.
  • France
  • Location: North 61:49.206, East 006:53.627 (GPS at the summit)
  • Difficulty: (YDS) class 1.
  • Climbed July 1. 2012.

Information:

How to get there:
This peak is south of Massive Central, ie. locate Hwy. N122 connecting A75/E11 (near Massiac) with Figeac (to the south-west). A good point of reference along Hwy. N122 is the village of Murat. From Murat, drive south-west on Hwy. D39 via Albepierre-Bredons to the mountain pass Col de Prat de Bouc. This col is at 1394 meter, a ski area in winter. There is parking on your right hand side. This is the trailhead, location N45:03.121, E002:47.623.
Here is an overview of peaks climbed at my Europe 2012 summer trip.


Route description:
The trail (A GR trail), marked with paint, starts out along a small dirt road that leaves the col area on the lower (opposite) side of the refuge (mountain hut). Shortly, the route leaves the road by forking left, through a small gate in the fence. This is near a small creek. Continue across a gras area with cows, then follow the trail through an opening in a new fence and uphill towards your right side. Higher up, the trail runs directly up a short hill to gain the ridge line. Turn right as you cross another cattle guard, then follow the ridge until a final fence with a gate for hikers. From this ridge, the final trail climbs a short stretch to your right in order to gain the summit. There is a map with viewing directions at the summit.
Comments:
This was the first peak on my summer trip to Europe in 2012. We had started with the DD21 conference (Domain Decomposition), in Rennes, France. This conference had its excursion to the famous rock Le Saint-Michel. We travelled from Rennes on Saturday, June 30th., visited the city of Bordeaux (lunch), before heading inland. The next day, we drove up to Col de Prat de Bouc and I got my first hike on this trip in fog and mist.
We arrived at the trailhead in pretty dense fog with some intermittent rain. Heidi decided to stay with the car and possibly get some lunch in the local restaurant. I started out around 1300 and made the summit (still fogged in) by 1340. A short stop, then 40 minutes also on the return hike.

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