Kev Reynolds advises crampons and axe for the Refuge Goriz to Perdido route.
Is it really necessary?
Last year for example I happily walked down the snowfield between Portillon and Renclusa wearing my trusty Keen sandals. Everyone else had big heavy Scarpas etc.
I guess ice or extreme exposure would be another matter, but large areas of quite soft snow aren't such a big deal; not if you have poles to use as a brake, anchor, etc.
Guess it must also depend on the conditions there - for mid August.
I did a little bit of research on Perdido a little while back, though had to cancel the trip
The last stage of the ascent, from the pass between Cilindo and Perdido to the summit can be icy, even in summer; I believe it is reasonably sheltered and north-ish facing. Very patchy though, so I'd be surprised if ice gear was essential. The other two peaks certainly don't have icy approaches in mid summer.
I can't find any of the photos I tracked down on my first search, but a little hunting around on the internet might turn up something useful.
If you look at this OM thread you'll see a mention of an August trip where crampons and axe were unnecessary.
We went up the normal route fron Goriz about july a year or 2 ago, We had to cross no snow to get to the top although there was snow to the sides. we had crampons and ice axes for other adventures but left them at the bottom. The scree is probably less difficult, but more dangerous if covered in snow. We watched people in the snow in the gully to the left having fun but the standard route takes a ridge which was bare. If it were snowy when you get there there are many people doing the trip so there will be steps. First thing in the morning things will be hard but then as you say the sun will probably soften most of it.
I personally would take such things to be sure that I could get up, but our gear is lightweight. 750 grams for crampons and iceaxe.
In fact - I'm reconsidering this now because it's not the kind of scenery I really enjoy; its rather bleak. I can see parts are spectacular, interesting etc but its very different - say - to Posets which I did last year.
Very little snow about this year, compared to last year. You can get by without axe or crampons pretty much anywhere along the HRP, I reckon, though I stopped at Barroude.
