Ice climbing in the Champsaur valley (Hautes-Alpes)

Description

Ice climbing is a spectacular activity that may seem elitist, but it's fun for all levels, even for beginners. Climbing these magnificent ice structures is a feast for the eyes and for the senses. For obvious reasons of temperature constraints, the best time to practice this activity is in winter, during the months of January and February.

I really enjoy climbing in the Champsaur valley (a few kilometers north of Gap in the Hautes-Alpes département), because it's a place where you can find icefalls that are not very frequented, at an affordable level and in a very wild environment.

Even at an introductory level, it's possible to climb multi-pitch icefalls of moderate difficulty. And for those who want to climb more challenging routes, there are plenty of opportunities in the Champsaur valley and neighbouring valleys.

Here are just a few of the icefalls we can practice on:

• Les Tourrengs: this 150-meter high icefall is one of the classics of the Champsaur and offers several lines. A few minutes' walk is all it takes to reach the start. After an easy start with small walls and flatter sections, the icefall becomes steeper and steeper all the way to the summit. The descent is easy, on a good hiking trail.
• Cascade des Martins: located in the wild Champoléon valley above the hamlet of the same name, this icefall offers a beautiful, moderately-difficult itinerary. After a 15-minute walk to the start, sections of varying steepness alternate with flatter sections where you can take a rest. A little before the end, a beautiful wall of almost 50 meters provides a fine finish before an easy descent on foot, often in the sun to warm up.
• Le Duc Bidon: on the right bank of the Champoléon valley, opposite the Cascade des Martins, this spectacular icefall begins with an impressive sixty-meter drop. Other slightly steep but much shorter sections follow, allowing you to gain height before descending on a path that requires sure-footedness.
• But also the Archinard icefalls, the Jumelles above Orcières, etc.

I also offer other great winter outings, such as a day of ski touring in the Champsaur or Dévoluy massifs, or ski-mountaineering in the Dévoluy chourums.

Program

Initiation program:

• Meet early morning in the village of Pont du Fossé, in the heart of the Champsaur valley.
• Transfer by car to the icefall in the best conditions.
• Ice climbing equipment (harness, helmet, crampons, ice axes and ropes).
• Pre-climb briefing on easy walls to learn how to use ice axes and crampons.
• We will then progress along the ice fall over a succession of more or less steep ledges.
• We can then climb the entire waterfall (approx. 150 meters high) or just part of it.
• Descent generally on foot, sometimes by abseiling.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain guide.
• Loan of equipment required for the activity: harness, helmet, crampons and technical ice axes.

The price does not include

• Return transport to the village of Pont du Fossé, a 30-minute drive north of Gap.
• Rental of mountaineering boots if required (rental available in Pont du Fossé).
• Picnic lunch.
• Snacks.
• Drinks.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

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