Summits of the Southern French Alps - Introductory Mountaineering
Crossing the glacier on Les Rouies
on the summit of Les Rouies
This is a mountaineering trip for novice mountaineers (need to be experienced walkers) taking in three alpine summits with a combined altitude of nearly 10,000m.
If you are a passionate walker or climber and love the mountains, you will find it difficult to resist the lure of the big Alpine peaks and will love this introductory mountaineering week!
Get away from the crowds and soak up the charm and ambiance of the high mountain environment in and around the dramatic Ecrins National Park, with the added bonus of the best sun record in the Alps.
Fixed Departure Date:
Sat 23 June - Sat 30 June 2012 PLACES AVAILABLE
It is possible to tailor make this trip for groups of four or more any time between June and September.
Price: 1296€ per person Please have a look at the
prices detail below
• 5 nights half board accommodation in a gorgeous farmhouse bed and breakfast,
Emile's Farm (breakfast and dinner).
• 2 nights half board accommodation in high mountain refuges (breakfast and dinner).
• Picnics or hot lunches for scheduled activity days. When you are in the refuges you will get a hot lunch when you return from your summit rather than a picnic, but it is a good idea to have a few energy bars for these days as it is a long time from breakfast at 4 am to lunch time!
• 5 days guided mountaineering with fully qualified UIAGM high mountain guide (guide ratio between 1:2 and 1:4 depending on summit)
• All technical equipment (harnesses, helmets, ice axes and crampons)
• Transport to and from scheduled activities
• Return transfers from Gap train station.
Please have a look at the
Summits of the Southern Alps itinerary for more detail.
This is a progressive week of mountaineering and alpinism taking in three spectacular peaks of the Southern French Alps including L'Obiou 2789m or Piolit 2464m (Grade: facile / easy), Les Rouies 3589m (Grade: facile / easy) and either the Sirac 3444m (Grade: peu difficile / bit more difficult) or L'Olan 3564m (Grade: peu difficile / bit more difficult).
For more information about the grades please have a look at our
mountaineering and alpinism page.
Two of the summits involve glacier crossings and scrambling / climbing in high mountain conditions and all the peaks have exposed sections!
Over the course of the week, you will learn essential rope and safety techniques for moving together and climbing in the high mountains and across glaciers. You will learn how to walk and climb in crampons and use ice axes and how to climb in big boots! You will also learn how to pace yourself at altitude.
The area we use for our introductory mountaineering trip is away from the main tourist areas so you won't be sharing your experiences with 100ds of other mountaineers and should get a real taste of the magic of mountaineering in the Alps!
The area is rich in flora and fauna with golden eagles, chamois, ibex, marmots and there are even wolves in the vicinity. For flower fans, look out for the orange lily, the 60 plus species of orchids including the lady's slipper and countless others.
A real taste of classic mountaineering and alpinism off the beaten track!
No previous experience of mountaineering or alpinism is necessary but a good level of walking fitness and some scrambling or climbing experience is required.
FIXED DATE TRIP: 23 - 30 June 2012 - 1296€
Price is per person and is based on two people sharing a room in
Emile's Farm. Please note that you will be in dormitory style accommodation for the two nights in high mountain refuges.
Please note that the price is in euros. If you would like to find out how much the euro price is in your currency, please use this
currency converter for up to date rates. Please note that bank rates may differ.
We can accept both pounds sterling and euro payments.
If you are an individual booking on to the fixed dates holiday on the 23 - 30 June 2012, please be aware that the holiday is subject to a minimum group size of 4.
If for any reason you book and there aren't enough people to fill the trip, you will be offered the choice of canceling your holiday with a full refund or paying a surcharge equivalent to your group size.
Get away from the crowds and explore the peaks of the Southern French Alps without having to share them with 200 other budding mountaineers!
This is a progressive itinerary taking in three stunning summits: L'Obiou 2789m / Piolit 2464m, dramatic trekking summits with some exposed and technical sections, Les Rouies 3589m, a beautiful glacier crossing and short scramble, and either the Sirac 3444m, a glacier crossing and climbing / scrambling or L'Olan 3564m, a glacier crossing with climbing / scrambling.
