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Ecrins travalogue
August 15 - August 25, 2001

This is the travelogue of our trip to Ecrins. The thumbnails of all pictures are on this page.

Date Route
We 8/15 Belgium - Bourg d'Arud [photos & diary]
* At 5h30 passes Stefaan to take me to Bourg d'Arud (10 hours drive).
* Meeting the other participants and little explanation about the trip.
Th 8/16 Bourg d'Arud (935m) - Refuge de la Muzelle (2115m) [photos & diary]
* Through the woods to the refuge (little rain).
* The extra trip for a nice view is stopped halfway because of the rain.
Fr 8/17 Refuge de la Muzelle (2115m) - Valsenestre (1300m) [photos & diary]
* Over some snowfields to Col de la Muzelle (2613m).
* Downhill (beginning is very very steep) to Valsenestre.
* Refuge with lot's of comfort, and a magnificent dinner.
Sa 8/18 Valsenestre (1300m) - Le Désert (1266m) [photos & diary]
* Via a flower trail and the stone-pipes to Col de Côte-Belle (2290m).
* Downhill to Le Désert.
* Sleeping in a Gî, eating in the café.
Su 8/19 Le Désert (1266m) - Refuge des Souffles (1968m) [photos & diary]
* Little race to Col de la Vaurze (2500m).
* Down to Refuge des Souffles over a path with lot's of variation.
* Small and lovely refuge, partially because the American beauties.
Mo 8/20 Refuge des Souffles (1968m) - Refuge Xavier Blanc (1484m) [photos & diary]
* First to Col des Colombes (2423m).
* Here we make an extra climb (no backpack) to Pic Turbat (3028m).
* Downhill to Chapelle-en-Valgaudemar (1100m).
* Shopping for a new picknick and then 2h walk to the Refuge.
Tu 8/21 Refuge Xavier Blanc (1484m) - Refuge du Pré de la Chaumette (1810m) [photos & diary]
* First to the Refuge Vallonpierre, with a short break.
* Then further to Col de Vallonpierre (2607m).
* Followed with Col de Gouiran and Col de la Valette.
* And to finish a long descend to the refuge.
We 8/22 Refuge du Pré de la Chaumette (1810m) - Refuge des Bans (2083m) [photos & diary]
* Steep climb to Pas de la Cavale (2735m).
* About 50 runners (!!) cross on our path.
* Going further to Col de l'Aup Martin (2761m).
* Long (and hot) path down to "Entre les Aygues" (1624m).
* 1h30 climb to the Refuge.
Th 8/23 Refuge des Bans (2083m) - Ailefroide (1507m) [photos & diary]
* 1.5 hours back to the valley, we are able to spot some animals.
* Very steep climb to Collet du Rascrouset (2796m).
* Steep downhill path over some glaciers.
* Then an easy path (but many people on the trail) to Ailefroide.
Fr 8/24 Ailefroide (1507m) - Refuge des Ecrins (3175m) [photos & diary]
* Late breakfast, and then to the shop to hire the climbing gear.
* Hitch-hiling to Pré de la Madame-Carle.
* 4 hours climb to Refuge des Ecrin, last hour in snow.
* About 100 people are staying in the refuge.
* Early sleep, since we leave in the middle of the night to start climbing.
Sa 8/25 Refuge des Ecrins (3175m) - Bourg d'Arud (935m) [photos & diary]
* Wake up at 3h00, walking at 4h00.
* At 8h00 on top of Dôme des Ecrin (4015m).
* Long way down to Pré de la Madame-Carle
* With a small bus to Bourg d'Arud (2 hours drive)
Su 8/26 Bourg d'Arud - Belgium [photos & diary]
* Going to Belgium with 4 cars.
* 10 hours drive to Ghent.

Height profile of our trip


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