Trad climbing: LES ARÊTES DES CINÉASTES

The guide welcomes you and checks your equipment. Short drive to Pré de madame Carle (1874 m) in the heart of the Ecrins National Park, departure point of our ascent to the Glacier Blanc refuge, 2542m (+670m ascent, approx. 2.30 hours’ walk). Picnic on the refuge terrace.
In the afternoon, after dropping off your belongings at the hut, we’ll climb a south-facing trad route in the foothills of Pointe Cézanne. We’ll take the time to review some technical skills. During the climb, you’ll be able to locate your next two routes.
Routes of up to 5 pitches, 4+ maximum, not equipped.

The second option, depending on timing and weather conditions (if it’s cold and windy at altitude that day), is to climb the beautiful Ailefroide multi pitch route before heading up to the refuge.

Ascent 425 m. Time from refuge to refuge: 6h30

Meal and overnight stay at the Glacier Blanc refuge.

From the refuge, a 1-hour approach walk before starting the climb. The Arête des Cinéastes route begins with a climb to the top of the ridge. It’s a razor’s edge in the middle of the sky, crenellated with 8 teeth, with the north faces of the Pelvoux, Pic sans Nom and Ailefroides as a backdrop. The route is a succession of spikes that are climbed and sometimes abseiled down, spaced out by aerial ridges. The descent is made after the fourth spike of interest.

10 pitches / 250 metres / 1 pitch of 6a, otherwise a 4+ overall / not equipped.

End of the stay late afternoon in L’Argentière-La Bessée.

NB : The programme is intended as a guide only. It could be modified at any time by the mountain guide for safety reasons, weather conditions or regarding the physical and technical level of the participants.

The guide will check that climbers have the required skills to guarantee maximum safety and fluidity for the party during the climbs.
If necessary, we’ll go over the different types of roping and belaying with a special focus on the quality of the belay according to the specificity of the terrain. Abseiling and self jamming techniques will also be covered. The guide will give you tips on how to organise the equipment on your harness. We’ll agree on how to communicate within the roped party to give clear instructions.

2 participants maximum. Departure is guaranteed from 1 participants. You will be notified at least 48 hours before departure in the event of cancellation. Where possible, an alternative solution will be offered.

NB : For cancellation conditions for privatised trips (made up groups) please refer to our conditions of sale.

Personal equipment

Please note that we offer some of this equipment for rental, they are indicated by a * in the list below, you will find rental prices in the "Gear rental and extras prices" section.

Equipment rental and changes are only possible before payment of the balance of your booking (45 days before departure). We advise you to take the time, as soon as you register, to list the equipment you have or which can be lent to you. Any equipment initially rented from ROC ECRINS even not taken on the day of departure must be paid for.

Feel free to bring any gear you already have but bear in mind that legislation regarding I.P.E. (personal protective equipment, in this case helmets, harnesses and sunglasses) limits the use of equipment over time. They can be used for 5 years from the date of purchase. After this date, your equipment is no longer considered to be up to standard. For more information on E.P.I., click here > www.inrs.fr

The head

• One pair of sunglasses* protection class 2 or 3
• A cap
• A helmet*

Hands

• A pair of leather mittens, such as cycling or sailing gloves for abseiling and belaying.

Bodywear

• A long sleeves undershirt, fleece or soft shell jacket
• A Gore-tex jacket offering waterproof protection
• A pair of warm or light climbing trousers depending on the weather

Technical equipment

• A climbing harness*
• a lock biner* and a 40cm sling*
• Quickdraws and other equipment that you wish to use or learn how to use
• A pair of comfortable climbing shoes*
• Daypack * (large enough for spare clothing, your lunch & personal climbing gear, approx 35L)
• a small backpack (8-10L) to take the minimum you need on the route

And last but not least...

• Water containers, ideally a one-litre bottle plus smaller ones to slip into the bag.
• Small knife
• Camera
• Small first-aid kit adapted to your personal needs, also containing elastoplast and double-skin dressings for any blisters.

This list is not exhaustive and should be completed with all what you may specifically need.

ROC ECRINS proposes for sale equipment adapted to your activity and your stay DIRECTLY on our premises in L’Argentière-La Bessée where we will welcome you on the first day . Don’t hesitate to ask us for advice or ask your guide on site.

BRANDS ON SALE :

• BEAL (Climbing and mountaineering harnesses, slings, descenders, carabiners, quickdraws, belay gloves, ice pins, climbing bags, headlamps, mountaineering helmets and climbing helmets, single ropes and abseiling ...)
• CAMP (Climbing and mountaineering axes, liquid chalk and chalk)
• SALEWA (Mountaineering shoes)
• CASSIN (Mountaineering crampons)
• ALTITUDE EYEWEAR (Sunglasses category 3 & 4)
• YYVERTICAL (Climbing safety glasses)
• NATURAL PEAK (Technical T-shirts in wood fibre, long and short sleeves and leggings)
• ICEBREAKER (Merino wool technical T-shirts, long and short sleeves and leggings)
• DYNAFIT (Ski touring boots, used and new ski touring skis)
• LES BATONS D’ALAIN (Hiking poles and ski touring)
• LABORATOIRE BIARRITZ (ecological sun cream, body, face & lips)
• COMPEED (Double skin plaster to prevent blisters ...)
• BOULES QUIESS (Ear plugs for good nights in refuges...)

Multi-pitch climbing is a more exposed sport than cliff climbing. In addition to the risk of falling or falling rocks, in the event of bad weather or injury, the retreat can be tricky. That’s why you need to be at the right level for the course. Rigour and attention to detail are essential.

Rock climbing, as all mountain activities have some level of risk particularly falling rocks, falling to the ground (failure to belay), etc.
To reduce the hazards that they are exposed to, climbers must wear their helmet at the foot of the cliffs, while climbing and belaying, and follow the safety instructions given by the instructor.

You must be aware of these risks and accept them when booking.

This climbing course is intended for climbers with prior experience in multi-pitch routes (French grade 5c minimum) and in very good physical condition.

Previous experience of use of crampons is necessary.

By state-certified mountain guides or trainees mountain guides (aspirant guides) from the Roc Écrins team. They will have a VHF radio connected to the emergency services, a satellite phone or a mobile phone. They will also have a collective first-aid kit.

*A trainee mountain guide is a guide in training who is authorised to work and supervise climbs from their third year of training. They are not beginners, as it takes several years of practice and training to build up a list of routes and have the experience and technical level required to enter the mountain guide training course.

As a travel agency, we have our own professional liability insurance.
To take part in one of our stays , you must have individual civil liability insurance, covering you in the event of damage caused to others. In addition, you must be properly insured for the chosen activity and covered for (rescue and repatriation costs) in the event of an incident or accident occurring during the course. It is your responsibility to check the cover offered by your personal insurance policy. If you do not already have such insurance, you can take out one of the policies we offer:

-* ASSISTANCE’ insurance, covering repatriation, rescue and search costs and interruption of stay, represents 2.6% of the price of the holiday. 
-* ‘MULTIRISK’ insurance covering rescue and search costs, repatriation, cancellation, loss of luggage and interruption of holiday, represents 5.6% of the price of the holiday. 
-* For non-European residents, ‘ASSISTANCE for non-European Union citizens’ insurance, covering rescue and search costs and interruption of stay, represents €10 per day.

Nicolas will welcome you at the Glacier blanc refuge which is situated on the left bank of the glacier of the same name and faces the large, beautiful and wild north faces of the Pelvoux, the Pic Sans Nom and the Ailefroides. Overnight accommodation in dormitories (blankets provided, bring your own sheets), shared toilets and washbasins, no showers. Hearty meals, picnics at lunchtime.

 
This accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking.

«Vous» souhaitez faire une réservation la veille ou à l’issue de votre stage, réservez chez notre partenaire de confiance à L’Argentière-La Bessée > HÔTEL DE LA GARE.

A 50 mètres de la gare de « L’Argentière-Les Ecrins » et à 150 mètres des bureaux de ROC ÉCRINS.

Transport from the meeting point to the starting point of the course by car pooling among participants (or by Roc Ecrins if one of our vehicles is available).

That’s the CO2 produced by our travels during your stay!

To join us :

Why not car pool or take the train ?

For information:

• Paris - L’Argentière-La Bessée (710km) by overnight train !

1. By train : 2,53 kgCo2
2. By car : 137 kg CO2
3. By electric car : 14,1 kgCO2

• Lyon - L’Argentière-La Bessée (250 km)

1. By train : 1,22 kgCo2
2. By car : 48,4 kg CO2
3. By electric car : 4,96 kgCO2
   a

• Marseille - L’Argentière-La Bessée (259km)

1. By train : 0,88 kgCo2
2. By car : 50,1 kgCO2
3. By electric car : 5,13 kg CO2

Carpooling ? We can put you in touch with other participants. Contact us by email or telephone. https://www.blablacar.fr/

Offset your carbon emissions !

For every tree planted, 150 kg of CO2 are stored !
https://www.reforestaction.com/plan...

The Pays des Ecrins region has excellent transport links.

If you’re coming by train,

The SNCF provides direct daily services from Paris, Marseille and Grenoble to L’Argentière-la-Bessée station.
PLEASE NOTE: the Pays des Ecrins station is called "L’Argentière les Ecrins". You must specify the full name of the station when booking, otherwise you may receive a ticket for "l’Argentière" station in Savoie.

• TGV connection, Paris-Turin. Take the shuttle to Briançon and l’Argentière. ( www.linkbus-alps.com )
• TGV connection, Paris-Valence or Paris-Grenoble with bus connections
• Night trains from Paris and the East of France. Information www.sncf.connect.fr
• from Nice, Marseille or Gap, regular bus services (www.autocars-scal.fr - 04 92 51 06 05)

If you are coming by car,

• From the north, take the A48 motorway to Grenoble, then the Col du Lautaret (RN91). Drive through Briançon towards Gap. You enter the Pays des Écrins at Saint-Martin de Queyrières.

• From Italy, take the A43 Maurienne motorway through the Fréjus tunnel, then the Col de Montgenèvre. Drive through Briançon towards Gap.

• From the south, take the A51 motorway to La Saulce, then head for Briançon (RN 94). You enter the Pays des Écrins at La Roche de Rame.

• Supervision by a high mountain guide
• Full board accommodation in a refuge from the first evening to the lunch on the last day
• collective and safety equipment
• Organisation and reservations (accommodation, guide, equipment) of your stay

• We welcome you to our premises for a cup of coffee or tea and equip you on site
• Free parking is available at the meeting point
• You can take a shower at the end of your stay
• You have free access to a relaxation area with Wifi, toilets, microwave, etc. while you wait for your train (5 minutes’ walk from the station)
• You can leave a bag with your personal belongings on the ROC ÉCRINS premises during your stay
• You will receive a 10% discount on our entire sales area (ROC ÉCRINS customers only)

Lorsque nous allons en montagne, nous sortons de la société que nous connaissons pour nous retrouver dans un milieu encore un peu épargné par les activités humaine. La montagne est singulière puisqu’elle est le symbole d’une liberté. En effet c’est un lieu où quiconque peut s’exprimer, gravir, sauter, glisser, vivre, partager et plus encore. Que notre objectif soit un sommet, une ligne ou simplement la découverte des paysages, nous profitons tous d’un moment privilégié avec la Nature. Pour garder cet espace de vie aussi beau et le conserver il faut aussi en prendre soin et savoir vivre avec tous les acteurs de la montagne.

UN ENVIRONNEMENT FRAGILE, pour le préserver quelques simples règles de bonne conduite : rester sur les sentiers, ne rien prélever, ne rien jeter et se faire discret tant vis à vis de la faune qu’à l’égard des autres randonneurs et alpinistes. La montagne est l’un des derniers lieux silencieux, et ce silence est un trésor à chérir, à respecter et à partager!

EN MONTAGNE, vous ferez cordée avec votre guide, vos amis ou d’autres personnes que vous ne connaissez pas, tous unis par un même objectif. L’entre-aide est de mise, au sein du groupe mais aussi vis à vis de quiconque aurait besoin d’aide. Pensez au sens de « circulation » : Ceux qui descendent laissent passer ceux qui montent.

EN REFUGE aussi, il est important de respecter certaines règles de savoir-vivre pour garantir une cohabitation harmonieuse. Vous devrez vous déchausser pour monter dans les dortoirs, des crocs sont prévus à cet effet.
N’oubliez pas que les réveils sont en général très matinaux alors soyez discret. Au réveil, il est d’usage de plier sa couverture.

Au moment du DÉBRIEFFING de la journée, il est d’usage d’offrir un verre au groupe pour apaiser les moments de doutes, de peurs, et/ou fêter le sommet, revivre les moments forts, drôle et joyeux de la journée. Et, si le coeur vous en dit, à la fin de votre séjour, vous pouvez remercier votre guide avec un petit pourboire, une tradition ancienne mais bien sûr non obligatoire.

To book your trip :

• complete the pre-registration form online
• You will receive a booking contract by email. It sets out the details of your booking as well as the schedule and payment terms.
• On receipt of this contract, the deposit of 30% must be payed within 4 days in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the contract. Your registration can only be confirmed when the deposit has been payed.
• The balance must be paid 45 days before the departure. Please note that any balance not paid within 45 days of departure will be considered as a cancellation of your booking. Financial withholding would therfore be applied in accordance with our terms and conditions of sale.
• For a of a booking made less than 45 days before departure, the total amount of the booking must be paid on receipt of the booking contract in accordance with the terms and conditions set out therein.