Activities - ice climbing
The Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys have the greatest variety and some of the best ice climbing in the Southern French Alps. Ice climbers and mountaineers come from all over the world to climb the famous routes, such as Le Voile de La Mairiee.
But you don't need to be an expert to climb here as there are waterfalls, ridges and gullies for all levels.
It is the unique topography of the region that gives rise to the variety and diversity of waterfalls - from long steep technical routes to gentle beginner gullies.
So whether you are a total beginner wanting your first taste of ice climbing or a seasoned climber wanting a winter challenge to add to your list of adventures, there is something for you here.
And what better place to climb... world class routes with some of the most spectacular scenery in the Alps.
We can organise an ice climbing experience as part of a winter multi activity holiday or if you would like to spend a week discovering the waterfalls of the region and perfecting your technique, we can organise a full week of ice climbing. Ice climbing is possible from about age 8 depending on the child.
We use fully qualified high mountain guides for ice climbing with a maximum of 6 beginners per guide or less for more technical climbing (2 - 4 climbers per guide depending on the route).
We choose our guides for their professionalism, local knowledge and friendliness. They will look after your safety whilst making sure you have fun.
Ice climbing routes, like climbing and mountaineering are graded according to difficulty. Each route is given a grade for technical difficulty as well as a general overall 'umph' grade.
Technical Grades
|
GRADE
|
DESCRIPTION |
| 1 |
Easy angled ice with no particular problems. |
| 2 |
Slight steeper than 1 but of good quality with excellent protection available. |
| 3 |
Ice up to around 60 degrees, generally of good quality with good belays |
| 4 |
Ice up to 70 degrees, good ice and gear |
| 5 |
Ice up to 80 degrees, ice is generally not as good as grade 4 and there may be few opportunities for rest. |
| 6 |
Vertical ice! Ice formations such as overlaps may exist and protection will be limited and difficult to place. |
| 7 onwards |
As 6 but longer, harder, poorer ice and less protection!. |
General Overall Grades
|
GRADE
|
DESCRIPTION |
| I |
Snow gullies of around 45 degrees or easy ridges. A single ice axe is all that is usually required, although cornices can present problems. These routes are often used as descent routes by climbers. |
| II |
Steeper snow, with potential for short ice pitches. Ridges at this grade would generally be easy scrambles in the summer. A second tool should be carried and cornices maybe difficult. Any difficulties encountered will generally be short in duration. |
| III |
Sustained gullies or ridges and steeper than grade II routes. |
| IV |
Routes start to become more technical in nature at this grade, with snowed up easy rock routes being climbed. Route will normally contain steep sections of ice, either long sections of between 60-70 degrees or short vertical steps. On mixed routes, more advanced techniques such as torquing will generally be required. |
| V |
Potential for sustained steep ice at 60-70 degrees. Mixed routes could be up to VS summer routes and may require the linking of multiple advanced moves. |
| VI |
Long vertical sections of ice, sometimes poor in quality and with little chance of rest. Mixed routes will be as for grade V but harder. Mixed routes will be at least VS summer routes. |
| VI |
Long vertical sections of ice, sometimes poor in quality and with little chance of rest. Mixed routes will be as for grade V but harder. Mixed routes will be at least VS summer routes. |
| VII |
As VI but longer and harder. Could include overhanging sections so strength, stamina and skill is required! |
| VIII onwards |
As VII but even longer and even harder! |
