On this French Alps mountaineering weekend in the Ecrins National Park you'll climb two big peaks away from the crowds. Real alpinism how it used to be!
Duration
Price
DestinationsPassionate walkers or climbers with a love for the mountains will find it difficult to resist the lure of these big Alpine summits off the beaten track!
This French Alps mountaineering weekend in the Ecrins takes place on the southern side of the Ecrins National Park from the Valgaudemar valley, known locally as the little Himalayas! The area is away from the main honeypot mountaineering sites so you will get a real taste of the magic of mountaineering in the Alps!
You will climb two spectacular summits over the weekend including Les Rouies 3589m (Grade: F facile / easy – PD – peu difficile / bit more difficult) and the Sirac 3440m (Grade: PD – D peu difficile / bit more difficult to quite difficult).
Both the summits involve glacier crossings and scrambling / climbing in high mountain conditions and have exposed sections!
A real taste of classic mountaineering and alpinism off the tourist track!
Holiday highlights
– Two high mountain summits in a weekend
– Real mountaineering off the beaten track
– Fully qualified local UIAGM high mountain guide with a passion for the area
– All inclusive – you just need to get to Gap!
– Glaciers, scrambling, climbing and dramatic views all in one trip.
This is a fully guided trip with local UIAGM high mountain guides chosen for their professionalism and local knowledge.
For the Rouies summit the ratio is 4 people to a guide and for the Sirac you will be 2 people to one guide as this summit involves more climbing. Your guides will oversee your safety and show you how to climb in the mountains as safely as possible; judging risks and optimising the conditions and equipment available for your safety.
A guide will be with you from the moment you are collected in Gap to the last day when he will drop you back off in Gap, so plenty of opportunities to pick his brains on safety techniques, other mountaineering and general local knowledge!
If you love the mountains, are comfortable on rocky terrain and thrive on a physical challenge, you will love this French Alps mountaineering weekend in the Ecrins! You need a high level of fitness and some mountaineering or climbing experience (you will be climbing grade 4 at altitude in big boots) to be able to enjoy this trip.
Itinerary for French Alps mountaineering weekend in the Ecrins
Day 1: Make your own way to Gap (we can help organise your journey) ready to meet your guide at 11h. If you need a hotel night, please just ask.
Your guide will collect you and go through equipment before heading up to the Valgaudemar valley where you will start your mountaineering adventure with a walk in to the Pigeonnier refuge.
Day 2: An early alpine start to tackle the summit of Les Rouies at 3589m. A rocky start, then a snowy couloir up to the glacier, glacier crossing and then a steep rocky section to finish. A truly magnificent summit!
After admitting the views, you will head back down to the refuge and then back to the Gioberney refuge where you will stay tonight.
Day 3: Walk into the Vallonpierre refuge - a beautiful walk over a river and with stunning views. The perfect day to gently walk off your achy muscles from yesterday.
Day 4: Another early alpine start to do the Sirac mountain 3440m. Your guide ratio will be 1:2 for this summit as it involves more climbing. A more technical climb with climbing and a stepper glacier with the grand finale of an exposed dramatic ridge. High altitude alpine bliss!
At the end of the day your guide will drive you back to Gap where you can enjoy the comfort of a cosy hotel room and hot shower and a night out in the town before heading home tomorrow!
Day 5: Return home
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