Explore the Giants of Écrins with a guide on a high-level mountaineering programme proposing Ailefroide, Pelvoux and Barre des Écrins. Five main days link approaches, summits and refuges, with a preliminary meeting and a sixth weather-reserve day to confirm when booking. Describe your rock, snow and glacier experience to prepare objectives and arrangements for this French Alps route.
Key elevations along the programme include Pelvoux (3,943 m) and Barre des Écrins (4,102 m). Ailefroide has several summits: confirm with the guide which one is planned for this programme.
Mountain experience, good fitness, basic climbing skills and crampon technique on slopes around 40 degrees are required. This is a level 2 Alpine ascent programme, more technical than level 1. Previous experience of an Alpine four-thousander is a useful reference. Discuss your rock, snow, glacier and rope experience to assess suitability.
The indicative meeting is from 18:00 on day 0 in Vallouise. Day one approaches Sélé hut. Day two proposes Ailefroide and a night at Pelvoux; day three climbs Pelvoux and stays in the Madame Carle area. Day four approaches Écrins hut, and day five proposes Barre des Écrins before returning to Vallouise.
Day six is listed as a reserve to seek a suitable weather window. Confirm its use, the availability you need and any additional costs. The objectives are Ailefroide, Pelvoux and Barre des Écrins, subject to mountain conditions. Completing all three ascents is not guaranteed.
Five guiding days, accommodation arrangements, collective equipment and required listed technical items are included by agreement. Personal accommodation and meals, travel, internal transfers, lifts and the guide’s stated expenses are excluded. The indicative expense allowance is €500 per person; request an updated budget. Bring rigid boots, ice axe, crampons, helmet, harness, winter clothing, headtorch and hut equipment. Ask about insurance cover and check all costs before confirming travel.
The schedule names Ailefroide, Pelvoux and Barre des Écrins. Ailefroide has several summits: confirm which one and the route conditions with the guide.
Five guiding days are included. The sixth is a weather reserve; confirm how it is used, required availability and possible additional expenses.
Mountain experience, good fitness, basic climbing and crampon technique on slopes around 40 degrees. It is presented as Alpine ascent level 2; previous four-thousand-metre peaks are useful context for assessing preparation.
After day 0 reception from 18:00 in Vallouise, approach Sélé. Ailefroide and Pelvoux follow, then a night near Madame Carle, approach to Écrins and a Barre des Écrins attempt before descending to Vallouise.
These variants must be discussed before booking. The objectives scheduled here are Ailefroide, Pelvoux and Barre des Écrins, adapted to conditions and the group.
Rigid boots, ice axe, crampons, helmet, harness, clothing, headtorch and refuge kit. Accommodation, meals, travel, internal transfers, lifts and stated guide expenses are separate;€500 per person is an indicative estimate to update. Discuss insurance, loans and arrangements for one or two people in July–August.
Mountain experience, good fitness, some climbing knowledge and crampon technique on slopes of around 40° are required.
Long Alpine days require strong endurance. Altitude, successive days of activity, wind and low temperatures can increase fatigue and difficulty. Read the full programme and ask us if you are unsure about the required level.
Prepare with endurance exercise and mountain walks, using a loaded backpack and the boots and equipment intended for the trip. Break in new boots beforehand. Previous long mountain days, ideally including a 3,000 m summit in the Pyrenees, are useful preparation. You must be comfortable with exposed terrain and heights. An assessment outing with one of our guides can help confirm whether the route suits you.
The guide adapts this outline programme to the weather and participants.
Day 0: Meet from 18:00 in Vallouise for a short briefing. Dinner independently.
Day 1: Breakfast at the gîte, then climb to Sélé hut (2,519 m).
Day 2: Ascend Ailefroide (3,983 m) and stay at Pelvoux hut (2,704 m).
Day 3: Ascend Pelvoux (3,943 m) and overnight at Madame Carle.
Day 4: Climb to Écrins hut (3,175 m).
Day 5: Ascend Barre des Écrins (4,102 m) and descend to Vallouise.
Day 6: Reserve day, allowing the best weather window to be chosen for the ascent.
Ask us for the detailed information sheet.
Follow normal routes that are more technical than those in our level 1 programme. Mountain experience, good fitness and familiarity with technical equipment are required. Previous experience on an Alpine 4,000-metre peak is useful; ask us about preparation courses.
One high mountain guide accompanies one or two participants, knows the route and gives daily instructions for each stage. PirineoSur works with highly qualified professionals with extensive high mountain experience and more than 20 years of guiding in the Alps. Their qualifications meet the relevant requirements in Alpine countries, including France, Germany, Austria, Italy and Switzerland.
A guide helps manage the risks so you can enjoy the trip, but no mountain activity is entirely risk-free. Please read the adventure activity contract carefully.
Mirando al Sur, S.L.U.
B23703622
Sede Pirineos:
C/ Antonio Beltrán, 1
22700 · Jaca (Huesca)
Sede Andalucía
C/ Juan Ramón Jiménez, 30
23160 · Los Villares (Jaén)
Agencia de viajes:
C.I.AN-237660-2
Turismo Activo Andalucía: AT/JA/00062
Turismo Activo Aragón: TA-HU-24-0015
Tel: +34 607 697 586
pirineosur.es
