Vignemale facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vignemale |
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View of Vignemale
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,298 m (10,820 ft) |
| Prominence | 1,027 m (3,369 ft) |
| Parent peak | Massif du Vignemale |
| Geography | |
 Vignemale
Location in France
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| State/Province | FR |
| Parent range | Pyrenees |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1837 by Henri Cazaux and Bernard Guillembet |
| Easiest route | Through the Ossoue glacier |
The Vignemale is a very tall mountain. It is the highest peak in the French Pyrenees mountain range. This mountain sits right on the border between France and Spain. While it's the tallest in the French Pyrenees, the highest mountain in the entire Pyrenees range is actually Aneto.
The Vignemale is located between the Huesca province in Spain and the Hautes-Pyrénées area in France. It is the tallest mountain in the French Pyrenees, the Occitanie region, and the Hautes-Pyrénées department. Part of the mountain is in France's Pyrénées National Park. Another part is in Spain's Reserva de la Biosfera Ordesa-Viñamala.
Contents
What is the Vignemale Massif?
The Vignemale is not just one peak. It is a whole group of mountains, called a massif. This massif has several important summits.
Main Peaks of Vignemale
Here are the main peaks that make up the Vignemale massif:
- Pique-Longue or Grand Vignemale: This is the highest point, standing at 3,298 meters (about 10,820 feet) tall.
- Pointe Chausenque: This peak reaches 3,204 meters (about 10,512 feet).
- Petit Vignemale: This smaller peak is 3,032 meters (about 9,948 feet) high.
The Pique-Longue is very easy to spot. You can see it from other mountains. You can even see it from the city of Lourdes.
The Ossoue Glacier
The Vignemale is also home to the Ossoue glacier. This is the second largest glacier in the Pyrenees. It covers an area of about 0.6 square kilometers (0.23 square miles). The easiest way to climb the Vignemale is by crossing this glacier. Many climbers use this route.
Who First Climbed Vignemale?
People have been exploring Vignemale for a long time. The first known climbs happened many years ago.
Early Climbs by Shepherds
In August 1792, some local shepherds climbed the Pique-Longue. They were following orders from Louis-Philippe Reinhart Junker. He was leading a team that was mapping the border between France and Spain. We do not know the names of these brave shepherds.
The First Recorded Ascent
The first officially recorded climb of this peak happened 45 years later. On October 8, 1837, Henri Cazaux and his brother-in-law Bernard Guillembet reached the summit. Henri Cazaux was from a town called Luz, which is now Luz-Saint-Sauveur.
Images for kids
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Count Henry Russell in front of one of his caves on the Vignemale
See also
In Spanish: Pico Viñamala para niños
