Day 6 - Walk up to Refuge
way up to Vallonpierre refuge
Evening views from L'Olan
There are two choices of summits for today and tomorrow; the Olan or Sirac, equally spectacular and dramatic.
There are then several routes up either with varying grades of climbing. However, we are looking at the classic routes for this trip. They are both 'peu difficile' in grade which means there is some technical climbing and more complicated glaciers so slightly more difficult than Les Rouies. It is really a personal choice and the guide will be able to give you more information about the routes and current conditions to help you decide which peak to do.
The Sirac
The walk in to the Sirac is up to the refuge Vallonpierre at 2271m from the Gioberney at 1642m. This is a newly refurbished club alpine francais refuge situated in a little hanging valley with a small lake.
There are two main ways to walk in - one direct route which is about 3 - 4 hours walking and quite steep or a traverse around under the glacier with the possibility to stop off for a drink at La Chabourneo refuge. This is slightly longer and you cut off half of the steep direct ascent so is slightly easier walking.
Both routes take you up a real classic Alpine valley with the summit of La Sirac dramatically outlined above you.
Again your guide will be with you so if you want to do some rope work or scrambling on your way up or at the refuge, that's no problem. The Vallonpierre refuge is a good place for chamois so again make the most of your guide's local knowledge and find out where they are hiding!
L'Olan
The walk into L'Olan is straight up from la Chapelle at 1101m to the Refuge de l'Olan at 2344m.
It is a long, steep and wild walk in through alpine meadows, rocky outcrops and slabs. The path is easy to follow and there are lots of wildlife spotting opportunities along the way.
The refuge itself is a real classic alpine refuge from the 60s - basic but clean and situated on a pretty alpine plateau surrounded by slabs and rock.
As the refuge is slightly off the beaten track and only really used by climbers and mountaineers, rather than families and ramblers, it has a real mountaineer alpinist atmosphere! As it should really with one of the prestigious summits of the Southern French Alps just behind it!
With nothing else in the way of civilisation anywhere near you and the old style refuge ambiance it is easy to imagine what it was like for the pioneers of Alpinism as they explored these mountains.
Your guide will be with you so if you fancy a bit of local scrambling, climbing or wild life spotting to while away the afternoon at the refuge, go for it!
