Cadieres de Brandis

Peak: Tete de la Barre de la Sapee (1626m/5335ft)
Area: Castellane Pre-Alps, France
Routes: West ridge (uI)
A family trip to Verdon in windy conditions which led to superb air clarity. Started at the Couloir Samson and all walked the first section of the Sentier Martel through the tunnels, including the 700m long one, with head torches. Very enjoyable for all, my second trip through, with fabulous views of the crags. The children both agreed they would come back and do the full 2-day Martel when 'teenagers'. We then headed to the Col de Leques via Castellane and walked the splendid Cadieres de Brandis circuit. This is a delightful trip through pine woods above the col to gain a ridge at Colle Bernaiche and tremendous new views down to the Verdon and over to Chanier and the main gorge. Lovely level walking along the hillside to zigzags and a remarkably beautiful wonderland of dwarf pines, subalpine meadows and little limestone outcrops and caves: classic haute Provence limestone scenery. To the left, the Brandis pinnacles were impressive. I broke off for the scramble up to the Sapee summit, to add to my fairly lengthy list of ascents around the Castellane Pre-Alps. This was good, a genuine scramble and surprisingly hard going up limestone blocks, little scree-covered valleys and steepish chimneys. Tricky route-finding too. The top was an exposed fin of rock, quite windy, with superbly clear views over to Verdon, the Mercantour, and previously climbed local peaks like Bernarde (done last summer), Robion (2007), Teillon (03), Destourbes (02). Rejoined the family in a wooded glade, then enjoyed perfect limestone scenery on the descent along rocky shelves down to the woods and col. A long day pour les enfants.