Stay "Itinerary through the Sentinel Huts"

Why do you see the mountain as it is now? And what will it be like when you return? The "Refuges Sentinelles" itinerary takes you on a journey of discovery of the treasures of knowledge contained in these high places. The refuges where we'll be spending the night are all part of a unique program in the Alps, bringing together mountaineers and professionals from the valleys to the summits.

Curious to learn more about climate change, biodiversity and the mountain imagination? The life of glaciers and their future? Meet scientists with a passion for the mountains? And (of course!) want to stretch your legs?

Then this trip is for you! And for the more motivated, it's even possible to get involved in participatory research. Let yourself be tempted!

5-day trip with altitude difference between 150 and 1150mD+ (easy level).

Dates: on request

Topics covered: climate change, sustainable development, geomorphology/geology, weather, mountain practices, glaciology, life in mountain huts, future generations, mountain imagination.

Target audience: anyone interested in scientific tourism, with or without a scientific background, children (accompanied), adults, schoolchildren, senior citizens.

Languages spoken: French and English.

Rates: all-inclusive package (accommodation, accompaniment, in-depth study of mountain science, morning-morning-evening meals, teaching aids and materials).

Discounts for: students, children and jobseekers

Payment methods: bank transfer, cash, vacation vouchers

Material and equipment: standard hiking gear, notebook/pen, and/or tablet or telephone

Links to sales and booking sites: ARPENTAGES takes care of all bookings

Departures from 4 people

Accommodation: refuge

• Day 1 :

Vertical rise positive: 150m

Negative difference in altitude: 100 m

Duration: 1h30

Departure from Col du Lautaret, with an initial meeting with researchers from the University of Grenoble's alpine station. This is also the starting point for reflections and debates on the future of the mountain environment, in the light of scientific studies carried out at the station and elsewhere. We then head up to the Alpe de Villar d'Arène refuge, for our first overnight stay in the mountains.

The approach to the Alpe already puts the group's existing knowledge into perspective: the panorama is a veritable exhibition of the many facets of mountaineering, as well as the evolution of this environment over the millennia.

It's no coincidence that Grenoble's Institut de Géographie Alpine has chosen this terrain to produce two educational geomorphology tours, for adults and children! On our first evening, Sabine will surely tell us about her experiences of 30 years as a high-mountain ranger.

• Day 2 :

Elevation gain : 750m

Duration: 2h30-3h

We head up one of the three glacial valleys that lead to l'Alpe, towards the Lac du Pavé and its refuge, now completely refurbished. The perfect opportunity to take stock of the new technological requirements in terms of environmental impact, but also of the challenges facing a refuge that has no running water! Lac du Pavé was also the scene of some surprising scientific discoveries, which we'll hear about from janitor Sophie. And the impressive faces of Le Pavé and Pic Gaspard will also provide an opportunity to discuss another innovative aspect of scientific research in the mountains: vertical ecology.

• Day 3 :

Elevation gain : 1150m

Negative elevation gain: 750m

Duration: 6 hours

The third day takes us back down to Valfourche, where we climb up to the source of the Romanche, before branching off to the Adèle Planchard refuge.

This day brings us up to over 3,000 metres at the foot of the glacier leading to the Grande Ruine. A sentinel of the evolution of mountaineering over the last few decades, this refuge will tell us about changes in high-mountain practices: what about glacier mountaineering today? Permafrost at altitude? What does glacial retreat mean for classic routes from the refuge?

• Day 4 :

Negative altitude difference: 1150m

Duration: 3 hours

The fourth day sees us return down to the Alpe, but to stay in another refuge, the Chamoissière. A former sheepfold, then a hunter's house, it has been entirely rebuilt using the materials available around the refuge, and entirely by hand, according to the rules of the art.

Woodworking enthusiasts will be delighted to see the finishing touches. The wardens here are history buffs, and it's on this theme that I suggest you spend the evening with them.

• Day 5:

Elevation gain : 300m

Negative climb: 900m

Duration: 3h30

We still have to explore the last valley in this part of the Parc des Ecrins, the one that climbs to the Col d'Arsine, at the foot of the Agneaux. A magnificent summit that we've had our sights on from the start, its glacier has created a lake that is itself closed off by an imposing moraine. We'll climb it from the pass to get a closer look at a major example of the current trend in high-mountain topography. The rest of the day is spent relaxing and descending to the village of Le Casset, where we catch a local bus back to the Col du Lautaret.