Tour de la Mieje: 14th April, 2012

A classic ski traverse of the Meije starting and ending in La Grave

Superb 'mountaineering peaks' and steep technical climbs on skis

The Meije is the 3982m mountain that forms the dramatic backdrop to the village of La Grave, on the edge of the Ecrins National Park in the French Alps. The whole region is characterised by rocky peaks, steep sided narrow valleys and huge areas of glacier. There are gaping crevasses, steep descents, long climbs, narrow passages and good snow throughout May.

La Grave is well known for its off piste skiing but few people go beyond what they can access by lifts. Our ski tour takes you well away from the beaten track on a circular traverse of the area spending six nights out on the mountain. All the refuges are guarded and catered.

“It was great to get out into the wild and the guiding was excellent”
- Matt Phillips

OUTLINE ITINERARY

DAY 1 - Fly to Geneva and transfer to La Grave
We pick you up at Geneva airport and drive you to La Grave where we spend our first night in the Chaumiere hotel. During the evening we meet up with the guide and plan the week ahead.

DAY 2 - the Torrent des Etancons
We catch the first available ski lift out of La Grave up to the Glacier de la Girose and the Col de la Lauze. From the col we ski down a steep couloir into the Parc Nationale des Ecrins and the Refuge de la Selle. We spend the first night of our tour here. During the afternoon we practise crevasse and avalanche rescue.
Total Ascent: 0 m Total Descent: 1000 m

DAY 3 - the Torrent des Etancons
Today we cross to the Refuge du Promontoire (3082m) on the south side of the Meije. Our route takes us first across the Glacier de la Selle to the Breche de Rateau. From the breche we make a steep descent to the Torrent des Etancons before skinning up to the Promontoire. There are great views of the Meije from the refuge.
Total Ascent: 1100m Total Descent: 800m

DAY 4 - Refuge d'Aigle
Today is probably the most difficult and technically demanding day of the tour. We first of all we cross to the Breche de la Meije at 3357m. From the breche we plot a complicated route through some of the most heaavily crevassed glaciers. We continue, some times on skis, sometimes on crampons, to the Passage de Serret du Savon. Then we traverse keeping to the same altitude to the Refuge de l'Aigle (3450) where we spend the fourth night of the tour. This is one of the most spectacular refuges in the alps.
Total Ascent: 650m Total Descent: 150 m

DAY 5 - to Villar d'Arene
Yesterday we didn't ski downhill very much at all. Today is another story and we start with one of the most classic ski descents in the Ecrins. From the refuge we make a 2200 meter descent to the valley floor down the steep Glacier de l'Homme to the Refuge de l'Alpe de Villar - d'Arene (2077m).
Total Ascent: 700 m Total Descent: 2200 m

DAY 6 - Refuge Adele Planchard
Today we make another long climb. This time we are heading to the Refuge Adele Planchard (3186m) below the Grande Ruine. We start with a simple walk along the valley floor gradually climbing to about 2400 m. Then we head more steeply up to the refuge on a high shoulder. The refuge itself has an inventive eco friendly heating system that works a bit like a greenhouse. Food is great.
Total Ascent: 1100 m Total Descent: 0m

DAY 7 - Grand Ruine and Col des Neiges
From the refuge we make a final climb to the Grand Ruine (3668) before making a classic descent back to the Col des Neiges. From the col we traverse to the Col de la Casse Deserte before our final descent across steep glaciated terrain and onto the high mountain hamlet of La Berarde.
Total Ascent: 600 m Total Descent: 2000 m

Please Note: This itinerary may be altered if conditions, weather forecasts or the overall fitness of the group are judged to put the safety of the group at risk. Pyrenean Mountain Tour Guides reserve the right to make changes to the itinerary without notice. These changes will be explained to the group as and when they occur.

EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING NEEDED FOR THIS TREK
We recommend that people joining this trek are equipped with the following:

Technical equipment
Ski Touring Skis with Touring Bindings
Ski Poles
Skins (with good glue!)
Ski Crampons
Ski Strap (for tying top of the skis together when carrying on rucksack)
Avalanche Transceiver
Crampons
Ice Axe
Climbing Harness

Clothing suggestions
Thermal underwear- 1 set as a base layer
Fleece
Waterproof jacket
Waterproof overtrousers
Warm hat
Warm gloves
Warm walking socks
Sun hat or peaked cap
Sunglasses/Goggles

Other useful items
40-60 litre rucksack (needs side straps so that you can carry skis)
Head torch and batteries
Sun block for face and lips
Personal First Aid kit (plasters,compede, paracetamol)
Water bottle or Platypus (get a insulated pipe though)
Penknife

Optional items
Change of clothing to include: underwear,tracksuit bottoms/ long-johns,dry shirt, spare socks.
Camera and film
Paperback novel
Maps
Ear plugs(there is always one snorer)
Snack bars/dried fruit/chocolate
Sheet sleeping bag (if you like them)

Ski Touring Equipment Hire
Pyrenean Mountain Tours offer a full equipment hire pack. You can hire everything you need for this tour or individual items at the costs shown in the table below. We are unable to provide equipment "last minute" so you need to book what you need well in advance.

Please remember to carry as little gear as possible. A heavy rucksack will make the trip hard work and less fun.