Mountaineering: Crossing the Pelvoux (Écrins)

Description

The traverse of Pelvoux, one of the highest peaks in the Écrins massif, is a varied mountaineering route combining a 40-45° snow couloir, climbing, descending, and abseiling. The descent via the Violettes glacier is also an unforgettable experience.

The day of the ascent begins early with a 700-meter climb to the Col de la Bosse de Sialouze, then the Coolidge couloir (300 meters at 40-45°) leads to the Pelvoux glacier, at an altitude of around 3,800 meters. Then you have to cross the summit plateau to Pointe Puiseux at nearly 4,000 meters.

After a break to enjoy the magnificent view of the Barre des Écrins and neighboring peaks, the descent is via the Pelvoux and Violettes glaciers, which can be technical in places, before reaching the hamlet of Ailefroide.

Demanding but splendid, this route rewards the effort with exceptional views and a unique high-mountain atmosphere.

This route can be a good acclimatization exercise before climbing Mont Blanc or tackling a more technical objective like traversing La Meije. You can also contact me for any mountaineering trip in the Alps or Pyrenees.

Program

Day 1: Ascent to the Pelvoux hut.
Meet in the hamlet of Ailefroide, where we will check your backpacks and equipment together.
Departure from the parking lot and ascent to the Pelvoux hut to spend the night.
Elevation gain: 1,200 meters.

Day 2: Ascent and traverse of Mont Pelvoux (3,943m).
Very early departure from the Pelvoux hut to begin the ascent. The climb is via the Coolidge couloir and the descent via the Violettes glacier and then the Ailefroide ledges.
Return to Ailefroide around midday.
Elevation gain: 1,250 meters, elevation loss: 2,450 meters.

The price includes

• Supervision by the mountain guide.
• Provision of group equipment (rope, etc.).

The price does not include

• Return transport to the hamlet of Ailefroide, a 40-minute drive from Briançon and an hour and a half from Gap.
• Personal equipment, namely: helmet, crampons, mountaineering boots, ice axe and harness.
• Civil liability and personal accident insurance for mountaineering and related activities (if you are not already covered for these activities by your insurance, you can take out additional insurance with the FFME, FFCAM, etc.).
• Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
• Drinks.
• Half-board accommodation for you and the guide.
• Anything not mentioned in "The price includes".

Accommodation

Pelvoux hut.

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