Traverse of the Ailefroides Orientale-centrale 3927 m
Meeting :
6 pm at the Sélé refuge (2511 m).
Long race that requires serious skills. The ride of the "Ailefroides" takes you to altitude in the same way as a crossing of the Meije or the Écrins. The difficulties are moderate but the duration requires that a rhythm, that has to be maintained throughout the day. It is important not to neglect the two climbing heights of the crossing.
Programm
– Meet your High Mountain Guide at around 6pm at the Sélé refuge (2511m) which you reach in about three hours of hiking from the village of Ailefroide.
– The next day you will leave just before sunrise, and after climbing the slopes that support the Glacier du Coup de sabre, you will set foot on the pillars and buttresses of the Ailefroide to reach the summit of the Ailefroide Orientale by a very clever route. Then begins the journey to the Central Wing, with two rock climbing heights of level 4. You are at an altitude of almost 4000 meters, and this climb should not be underestimated.
– Descent under the central Ailefroide in a delicate mountainous terrain to join the morning access route to the Western one.
– ascending elevation: 1550 m
– descending elevation: 1550 m. (From the refuge to the refuge)
– Running time: 14 to 17 h
– The next day you will leave just before sunrise, and after climbing the slopes that support the Glacier du Coup de sabre, you will set foot on the pillars and buttresses of the Ailefroide to reach the summit of the Ailefroide Orientale by a very clever route. Then begins the journey to the Central Wing, with two rock climbing heights of level 4. You are at an altitude of almost 4000 meters, and this climb should not be underestimated.
– Descent under the central Ailefroide in a delicate mountainous terrain to join the morning access route to the Western one.
– ascending elevation: 1550 m
– descending elevation: 1550 m. (From the refuge to the refuge)
– Running time: 14 to 17 h
Equipment
– Mountain trousers
– Warm under clothes
– warm fleece jacket
– waterproof and breathing jacket
– 2 pairs of gloves, bonnet
– warm socks
– sunglasses, sunscreen for face and lips
– backpack, middle size (30 to 40 liters)
– gourde (minimum 1 liter), lunches and snacks, picnic
– headlamps with batteries
– bed sheet. No need for sleeping bags (there are blankets at the refuge)
– alpinism shoes with stiff soles that can be fitted with crampons (check with your crampons before you hike to the refuge) (1)
– classic ice axe (1)
– crampons that fit your shoes (1)
– harness (1)
– helmet (1)
– hiking sticks (1)
– Skier, locking biner, cord and personal anchor tether for abseils.
(1) Renting is possible
participants
– 2 participants per guide with collective formula.
– 1 to 2 participants per guide with the private formula.
– 1 to 2 participants per guide with the private formula.
Access
The Sélé refuge is accessible by foot from Ailefroide, where you can park your vehicle (parking). There is around 1000 meters of ascending elevation. To access Ailefroide, you have to go through the valley, from L’Argentière la Bessée (Hautes Alpes), Vallouise and Pelvoux. There is a train station at L’Argentière la Bessée called “L’argentière les Écrins".
Level
– Long and difficult ascent, at altitude, which requires as much quality in snow as in rock.
– The ascent to the refuge requires having a safe foot to cross the "Barre du Sélé" (L’Ouro), presence of cables.
– The ascent to the refuge requires having a safe foot to cross the "Barre du Sélé" (L’Ouro), presence of cables.