Aigle shelter from Villar d'Arène (mountaineering)
Villar-d'Arêne
Hard
1. Aigle shelter from Villar d'Arène (mountaineering)
Hard6h
6,3km
+2001m
-253m
Stage
Grade F+ "Facile +" (easy, upper band) (35° on snow and II on rock), long mixed climb (snow/rock) with some clearly waymarked and very easy rocky sections, Vire Amieux ledge equipped with wire, crevassed glacial terrain.
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We're heading for l'Aigle, a hut perched on a rock at an altitude of 3450m, a hut that lives up to its name. L'Aigle is one of the legendary huts in the Écrins, and also the highest in the range, welcoming climbers who have come here to test their mettle on the many nearby ascents, including the Meije Orientale.
Important information
Dans le Parc national des Écrins, les sentiers sont généralement praticables de la mi-juin à fin septembre.
Toutefois, les périodes d'accessibilité des itinéraires et les dates de pose des passerelles varient d’une année à l’autre en fonction de l’enneigement, des dégâts survenus en hiver et des conditions météorologiques.
Par ailleurs, l’état des sentiers n’est pas contrôlé quotidiennement et peut évoluer rapidement après un évènement météorologique (orage, crue...). Il est nécessaire de se renseigner auprès des maisons du parc national et des offices de tourisme du territoire avant votre sortie.
Pendant la randonnée, en cas de passage dégradé ou dangereux, faites demi-tour et signalez-le.
Description
Immediately after crossing the Romanche, head right onto a well-made, well-worn trail (waymarked red) which winds steeply uphill.
- From L'Âne point 2,375, the trail is less clearly visible but still waymarked and cairned. Crossing rocky slopes and the névés of the Bec glacier.
- You come to the approach to the Col du Bec 3,065 m. Climb the north arête of the Bec de l'Homme on the left (red arrows, no grade II climbing), to the base of the Vire Amieux ledge (projecting shelf, 3,200 m, cairn), allowing descent via the right flank onto the Tabuchet glacier by a long traverse equipped with a wire.
- Once set foot on the glacier (tricky depending on the conditions), ascend its right side (crevasses) until you reach the Rocher de l'Aigle and the shelter.
- Departure : Le Pont des brebis
- Arrival : Aigle shelter
- Towns crossed : Villar-d'Arêne and La Grave
Altimetric profile
Sensitive areas
Along your trek, you will go through sensitive areas related to the presence of a specific species or environment. In these areas, an appropriate behaviour allows to contribute to their preservation. For detailed information, specific forms are accessible for each area.
Golden eagle
- Impacted practices:
- Aerial, , Vertical
- Sensitivity periods:
- JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAug
- Contact:
- Parc National des Écrins
Julien Charron
julien.charron@ecrins-parcnational.fr
Recommandations
The climb to the Aigle refuge is long and the difference in altitude considerable. Start early to give yourself plenty of room and avoid suffering too much from the heat. Up to the Col du Bec, the route follows a well-marked path. Then it's into the realm of the high mountains, where you need to find the route and progress safely (crampons, ropes). After the Amieux cable, access to the glacier can be tricky in late summer when the mountain is dry. If you arrive late at the refuge, it is advisable to sleep there (booking essential). Without climbing one of the summits of the Meije, it is possible to do two short loops on the glacier before descending into the valley: the Tête des Corridors 3734m or the col du Serret du Savon 3571m.
Is in the midst of the park
The national park is an unrestricted natural area but subjected to regulations which must be known by all visitors.
Access and parking
After Villar-d’Arêne, take the Pied du Col road and turn right before the hamlet to Le Pont Vieux ou des Brebis 1,662 m. Park in the car park before the bridge.
Parking :
Pont Vieux or Pont des Brebis car park
More information
Source
Parc national des Ecrinshttps://www.ecrins-parcnational.fr
Report a problem or an error
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