Barre des Ecrins East-West crossing 4102 m
Meeting :
2pm at Glacier Blanc refuge (2550 m).
After climbing the slopes of Barre des Écrins’ normal route, climbing the eastern edge of the Barre des Écrins provides high mountain sensations that will delight experienced climbers.
Programm
– On the first day, you will meet your guide at the Glacier Blanc refuge, which is a 2h15 walk from the Pré de Mme Carle.
You will put the rope on when walking on the Glacier Blanc and find your crampons sensations again during the ascent to the second refuge of the Glacier Blanc sector, Les Écrins refuge culminating at 3170 m.
– The following day, after a departure by night in the light of the headlamp, you will climb the slopes of the Dome de Neige des Écrins in about 2 hours and a half of ascent, to reach the eastern edge of the Barre des Écrins around 4000 m. After a mixed technical climb, the route of the ridge will require good mountaineering skills. Descent along the western edge. The return to the Glacier Blanc refuge will take place in the early afternoon and you can go back to the valley after a good meal to celebrate your ascent.
– The following day, after a departure by night in the light of the headlamp, you will climb the slopes of the Dome de Neige des Écrins in about 2 hours and a half of ascent, to reach the eastern edge of the Barre des Écrins around 4000 m. After a mixed technical climb, the route of the ridge will require good mountaineering skills. Descent along the western edge. The return to the Glacier Blanc refuge will take place in the early afternoon and you can go back to the valley after a good meal to celebrate your ascent.
Equipment
– Mountain trousers
– Warm underwear
– 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) (1) Renting is possible
– Warm underwear
– 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) (1) Renting is possible
Access
The Refuge du Glacier Blanc is accessible by foot from the Mme Carle’s meadow where you can leave your vehicle (large car park). About 700 m of ascending elevation on the way up.
To access Mme Carle’s meadow, you have to go through the valley, from L’Argentière la Bessée (Hautes Alpes), Vallouise, Pelvoux and Ailefroide. There is a train station at L’Argentière la Bessée (“L’argentière les Écrins").
Level
– The Barre des Écrins is an important summit, which requires good mountaineering skills and a good experience of high mountains. In heavy snow conditions, the edges are climbed with crampons.
– Level PD+ (little difficult +)
– Level PD+ (little difficult +)