Refuge Packe

In the high altitudes of the Néouvielle massif, the FFCAM's Refuge Packe is located at around 2,495 m on the Col de Rabiet, above Betpouey and on the edge of the Pyrenees National Park. The small, freely accessible stone building with its characteristic pointed roof is unmanaged and open all year round and is primarily aimed at long-distance hikers on the Tour du Néouvielle, alpinists on Pic Long, Turon de Néouvielle or Pic de la Coume de l'Ours as well as anglers on the nearby mountain lakes such as Lac du Pourtet. For most hikers, the summer months from June to October are the most pleasant time for the ascent; in winter, the hut serves as a bivouac base for experienced ski tourers. From the parking lot on the Plateau du Lienz near Barèges, a marked trail leads over the piste to the Refuge de la Glère, then crosses westwards into the Vallée du Bolou, passes the stream and climbs in hairpin bends past the Lac du Pourtet up to the Col de Rabiet. Depending on your fitness level, you should allow around four and a half hours for the ascent of around 930 meters from the parking lot to the hut. As a free FFCAM base, the hut does not offer any catering; those staying here overnight bring their own provisions and prepare them on the existing stove and simple cooking facilities. Careful tour planning is particularly important due to the exposed location in high alpine terrain: current conditions, possible closures and the weather forecast should be checked before each visit. The construction of the refuge goes back to a legacy from the British Pyrenean pioneer Charles Packe: in 1895, the Club Alpin Français had it built on the Col de Rabiet in accordance with his bequest, and the refuge named after him was inaugurated in August 1896. A comprehensive renovation at the turn of the millennium by the CAF Lourdes-Cauterets has preserved the historical character with the striking ogival roof shape and at the same time carefully renewed the interior.