Tour des Écrins - Mélanie Gaudin

This program is given as an indication only. We will have to adapt to the vagaries of the weather, mountain conditions and the level of participants.

16-day trip with 6 to 9 hours walking per day (good physical condition required, as several days are over 1200mD+).

Dates: early July to late September

Accommodation: gîte, refuge, bivouac

Group size: minimum 6 and maximum 8 participants

Supervision: 1 mountain leader, high mountain guide

• Day 1: Welcome day

Arrival possible from 4pm, directly at the Venosc campsite.

Equipment, preparation of bags for departure the next morning, meal prepared together, night at the campsite.

• Day 2: Venosc / Lac de la Muzelle

A first stage with some ascent, but fairly short. Enough to get into shape at your own pace, gain altitude and reach the heart of the Ecrins National Park.

Vertical rise: 1215m

Vertical fall: 40m

Lodging: bivouac

• Day 3: Lac de la Muzelle / Le Désert en Valjouffrey

A big stage on this day, on winding trails that take us through hamlets from another era.

Total ascent: 1270m

Total descent: 2120m

Lodging: bivouac

• Day 4: Le Désert en Valjouffrey / La Muande

Possible visit to Le Désert en Valjouffrey. Before starting the climb to the Col de la Vaurze, at 2500m. Direction Valgaudemar.

Total ascent: 1285m

Total descent: 605m

Lodging: bivouac

• Day 5: La Muande / La Chapelle en Valgaudemar

First return to the valley, in Valgaudemar, at the gateway to the Écrins National Park.

Total ascent: 440m

Total descent: 1310m

Accommodation: campsite

• Day 6: La Chapelle en Valgaudemar / Lac de Vallonpierre

Gradual return to the heart of the park, under the watchful eye of Sirac, the most southerly of the great Écrins peaks.

Total ascent: 1230m

Total descent: 40m

Lodging: bivouac

• Day 7: Lac de Vallonpierre / Pré de la Chaumette

Short ridge section (weather permitting) from the Vallon de Gouiran. We join the Haut Champsaur for the night, still under the watchful eye of the Sirac.

Total ascent: 640m

Total descent: 1130m

Lodging: bivouac

• Day 8: Pré de la Chaumette / La Grande Cabane

A wild stage that takes us to an altitude of 2735m. We enter the upper Fournel valley via the Pas de la Cavale.

Total ascent: 920m

Total descent: 495m

Lodging: bivouac

• Day 9: La Grande Cabane / Vallouise

Another return to the valley, this time to Vallouise. Descent via the Narreyroux valley.

Total ascent: 670m

Total descent: 1640m

Lodging: campsite

• Day10: Vallouise/ Ailefroide

Rest day. On this day, we'll take the time to recover some strength for the rest of the trip. Possible visit to Vallouise and its Maison du Parc before heading for Ailefroide.

Total ascent: 380m

Total descent: 120m

Accommodation: campsite

• Days 11 and 12: Alpi days

The program for these 2 days will be finalized on site, depending on weather, terrain conditions and group fitness.

Day 11: We meet up with mountain guide Robin, who will lead us to higher summits. Preparation and equipment for the 2 days. Ascent to bivouac site. First technical training for the next day's race.

Day 12: We 're up very early for this climb on the edge of Pelvoux and Pic Sans Nom. At an altitude of over 3000m, discover the high mountains under the first rays of the sun.

Return to Ailefroide at the end of the day.

Accommodation: campsite

• Day 13: Ailefroide / Vallon de Chambran

We're off again for a few days' walking around the beautiful Ecrins massif. We'll start with the Vallon de Chambran, also known as the Vallon de l'Eychauda because of the lake that dominates it. A wild excursion at the gateway to the Park.

Total ascent: 1090m

Total descent: 65m

Lodging: bivouac

• Day 14: Vallon de Chambran / Col d'Arsine

A slightly long stage that takes us to the outskirts of Monêtier-les-bains and its winter sports resort. Without lingering, we head for the Col d'Arsine and its wonders. There, the palette of blues is endless, with lakes each more beautiful than the last.

Total ascent: 1000m

Total descent: 1180m

Lodging: bivouac

• Day 15: Col d'Arsine / La Grave

A final stage to round off this beautiful trip to the land of giants. We finish in the company of some of the massif's greatest names: Pic Gaspard, Pavé, and above all, La Meije! All covered in ice...

Total ascent: 170m

Total descent: 1040m

Accommodation: campsite

• Day 16: Return

Breakfast together and dispersal of participants.

NB: The days will be long, with early wake-ups (between 6am and 7.30am depending on the day) and late afternoon arrivals at the bivouacs (between 4pm and 6pm). Expect 6 to 9 hours' walking per day, and several stages with over 1,200m of ascent. Of course, there will be regular breaks throughout the day (every 2 hours or so). And the supervisor will adapt to the group's level.