For our 2022 trip we will be heading for Les Ecrins, basing the meet at Ailefroide.

The massif offers a wide range of mountaineering challenges at all grades, including major summits like La Barre des Ecrins and Mont Pelvoux. Located in the High Dauphiné Alps south of the Mont Blanc Massif, this is the second biggest French mountaineering area after Chamonix.

Ailefoide itself is situated in a beautiful valley with a vast array of rock-climbing from single pitch to over 400 metres, mostly within 5 to 40 mins walk from your tent door. There is also considerable scope for easier walking, hut to hut tours, mountain biking.

The plan is fairly simple - turn up, pitch tent, go mountaineering/rock climbing/walking, eat, drink, chill out, soak up some rays. But if you need any further information speak to Craig Marsden.

The campsite is large, but in a beautiful setting, and the website now allows advance booking which may be advisable for this period. See: http://www.ailefroide.fr/camping/

Guidebooks:

Rockfax Digital only (on the App) – A guide to the rock around the campsite which can be downloaded to your mobile if you are a Rockfax digital subscriber.

Classic Routes in the Ecrin. Sebastien Constant. Editions Constant. (2018). Mountaineering

Escalades Autour D’Ailefroide. JM Cambon, Imprimiere Horizon (2017). Rock.

Ecrins Massif, Cerces and Queyras. Alpine Club. Published 2002. ISBN: 0-900523-63-8. - Alpine and valley rock routes.

Ecrins East, Cerces, Quetras (Volume 1) - Snow and Mixed Climbs. Editions Constant. English edition 2010. ISBN: 978-2918970019.

Escalade en Brianconnais, Haut Val Durance, Queyras. Editions du Fournel. Published 2012. - Bolted crags in the southern Vanoise, Écrin and Queyra, including Ailefroide.

The Ecrins National Park: A Walker's Guide. Cicerone Guide. 2008. ISBN: 97818528452 - 70 mountain walking routes in the Ecrin National Park.

IGN - Meije, Pelvoux - Park National des Ecrins (3436 ET) 1:25000