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Holidays & Walks

Graded in order of walking difficulty

Treks

The Programme

Monday. A day of rock climbing on the granite cliffs around Ailefroide. This provides essential techniques in ropework, moving together and basic rock climbing The afternoon is spent climbing some of the splendid climbs on the lower cliffs.

Tuesday. Snow and ice training on the Glacier Blanc plus safety techniques, crevace rescue, use of ice screws and much more. The aim is to be at ease using crampons and ice axes on steep snow and glacial ice. Later on in the day continue on up to the Refuge Blanc. where you will spend the night . This is a really well situated Refuge and you will marvel at the glorious sunsets over the nearby peaks . Food is good and the guardian very friendly . The guide will carefully explain all the various hut ethics to you .

Wednesday.An early start after a quick breakfast and you are experiencing your first Alpine start .just watch out for those sunrises ..you will never forget it ! Now you put your training into practise if you wish. You have the chance to lead a rope, under the Guide's supervision, your first alpine peak, an easy but very attractive one, The Neige Cordier. 3613m. This climb combines the usual long snow ascent followed by a steep gully and then a short  rock climb to a very narrow summit..The views are outstanding .After the ascent we traverse to the Refuge des Ecrins at 3170m all the time gazing across to our objective for tomorrow ..your first 4000m peak , the Dome des Ecrins..see the top left photo taken from the Neige Cordier .

Thursday. Ascent of your first 4000m peak. The Dome des Ecrins at 4015m. Quite an effort with 3.30hrs of ascent but the views from this mountain, which dominates all the massif with Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn in the background, is well worth the effort. Descend to Ailefroide late afternoon.

Friday. An easy late start after yesterday's efforts. Depart for the Refuge du Sele during the morning . The walk up through the valley leads first through alpine meadows full of flowers ,  into an old pine forest and then out into the upper part of the valley ..wild and rugged scenery but watch out for chamois and mouflons..The path leads to a steep rock wall up which a very airy path zigzags . Fortunately  a wire handrail is available at the steepest points...interesting . The refuge ,new and rather ugly is situated on a rock buttress above the rock wall .From the refuge an impressive glacier is surrounded by peaks and passes. The Col du Sele is hidden from view from here .

Saturday. Ascent of Col du Sele at 3278m. A snow climb into the heart of the massif and with views of some of the mountains that YOU may well now want to climb independently.The ascent is over glacial terrain and then a very steep snow gully to a final rocky point .At the top you sit with one leg each side of quite a long drop ..particularly down to the Glacier Noir.We return to the Sele hut and then  return to the valley early afternoon for a well earned rest ..Farewell meal in the hotel .

Sunday.Depart after breakfast.

PRICE: £675
Inclusive of accommodation, all meals (except picnics), guiding and kit hire from Sunday evening to Sunday morning .
Excluded are drinks with meals. Extra nights can be arranged on request.Accommodation in the valley is in our lovely old wooden mountain hotel in Ailefroide in ensuite twin rooms. Meals are very filling mountain fare . Whilst in the mountains accommodation is in mountain refuges in dorms . However we retain your rooms in the hotel so that in case of illness or bad weather there are no problems over accommodation  Please note that we can arrange transfers for groups of at least 4 clients  on request .PLEASE DO ASK IF YOU HAVE A GROUP THAT WOULD LIKE A MADE TO MEASURE HOLIDAY.If there are problems with Sunday travel we can arrange for accommodation on the Saturday night before the start of the holiday.

Dates. 2006... 

From Sunday 25 June to 16 July..start dates.