Dauphine crossing

Barre des Ecrins: the southernmost 4,000-meter peak in the Alps

Requirements:

• safe parallel skiing in all types of snow
• Experience in walking with skins and mastering the hairpin
• Surefootedness
• Head for heights
• Experience in the use of crampons, ice axe
• Fitness level of approx. 6-7 hours

Ski tours in the Dauphiné area require good conditions. So the program is only to be understood as a guide.
In many cases the skis must be carried up the steep, narrow breaks on the backpack or must be abseiled on the other side partly short!!!

1 day:

Meeting point in Villar d’Arene.

Shortly after the village we park the cars and march to the well established Refuge Villar d’Arene 2077m.

• Ascent: 400hm
• Walking time: 2,5 hours

Day 2: Pic de Chamoissière 3207m

Ascent of the 3207m high Pic de Chamoissière in a crisp day hike. Descent back to the hut.

• Ascent: / Descent: 1130hm
• Walking time: 3-4 hours

Day 3: Pic de Neige Cordier

Comfortable start in the first hours of the tour. However, the last meters of altitude on the Brèche de la Plate d’Agneaux 3217m are quite demanding. Here the skis are strapped onto the rucksack. From the Brèche we go up again on skis to the 3614m high Pic de Neige Cordier.

From the summit we have an ideal view of Thursday’s route before we set off for the rather short, but rewarding, descent down to the Refuge des Ecrins 3295m.

• Ascent: 1540hm / Descent: 320hm
• Walking time: 5 – 6 hours

Day 4: Barre des Ecrins

We climb the winter peak of Barre des Ecrins at 4015m. Here we are standing on the southernmost and at the same time westernmost 4000m peak of the Alps. The ascent leads through a quite spectacular glacier, which also demands a lot from us when it comes to skiing.

For sure we all enjoy the afternoon afterwards on the beautiful sun terrace of the Refuge du Glacier Blanc 2542m.

• Ascent: 915hm / Descent: 1470hm
• Walking time: 4-5 hours

Day 5: Col du Monetier – Monetier les Bains – Villar d’Arene

We start the day with a relatively short climb to Col du Monetier at 3339m. Here we enjoy a last view back to the Barre des Ecrins and then tackle the very long and scenic descent down to Monetier les Bains 1473m.

We then take a taxi over the Col du Lautaret to Villar d’Arene and return to our accommodation.

• Ascent: 800hm / Descent: 1470hm
• Walking time: 3 – 4 hour

Day 6: Tête Nord du Replat – Refuge du Chatélleret

We take a cab to La Grave and take the cable car up to Dome la Lauze at 3568m. Another act follows, “Skiing à la Dauphiné”.

A steep descent towards Refuge de la Selle. Above the hut we strap on the skins and go over the Glacier de la Selle to the Bréche du Tête Nord du Replat at 3235m. At the end, a magnificent steep descent down to the Refuge du Chatélleret 2232m awaits.

• Ascent: 350hm / Descent: 1600hm
• Walking time: 3 – 4 hours

Day 7: Col de la Casse Déserte 3483m – La Grande Ruine 3765m – Refuge Villar d’Arene – Valley

A steep climb over the Glacier de la Grande Ruine into the Col de la Casse Déserte 3483m. The panoramic view offered here is simply overwhelming. The subsequent descent takes us over huge slopes and finally through an impressive valley to the already familiar Refuge Villar d’Arene and back down into the valley to the hotel. The next day is the journey home.

• Ascent: 1500hm / Descent: 2200hm
• Walking time: 7 – 8 hours

Cost per person:

Rental equipment available on request