Charles Dubouloz completes his winter trilogy with a solo ascent of Pic d'Ossau in the Pyrenees

Following his winter ascents of Divine Providence in the Mont-Blanc massif and the Gamma route on the Barre des Écrins, Charles Dubouloz has now added a third chapter to his winter trilogy, this time on Pic d'Ossau (2,884m). The 36-year-old French alpinist climbed this famous peak in the Pyrenees via the 600m West/North West face, bringing an already remarkable season to a close.

The ascent, however, was far from straightforward. Dubouloz endured nearly four weeks of waiting for a suitable weather window, after the massif was hit by an unprecedented 40 consecutive days of snowfall. When the skies finally cleared, temperatures soared, creating delicate and rapidly changing mountain conditions. "You have to slip into a tiny window and be opportunistic," Dubouloz commented, echoing the strategy that served him well on his previous winter ascents.

The solo climb itself proved to be intense, requiring 48 hours to complete. On the first day, his backpack - containing essential gear including his down jacket, stove, water and food - plummeted into the void, leaving him to endure a memorable and challenging night on the face without supplies.

Dubouloz's winter trilogy began in early December, linking three major French massifs by bike. After climbing in the Mont-Blanc and Écrins ranges, he pedalled to the Pyrenees for the final act. And the adventure is not quite over yet: he now plans to cycle back to Annecy, an estimated three-day journey, this time, as he notes with relief, with the wind working in his favour.