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14 members embarked on Ailefroide in the Ercins National Park in the southern French Alp, spread over a 3 week period.
The early arrivers managed to secure a big enough area on the campsite to house us all in.
The main activity was the multi-pitch sport climbing crags which littered the area within walking distance. This was mainly on granite slabs so a few of us decided on the single-pitch crag first to get used to the rock (and the heat!). Luckily there’s enough for everyone in terms of grades and if you wanted to top up your tan or stay in the shade.
Other activities people got involved in were the local via ferrata 3 miles away and another at Vallouise which was a Grade 3 and up up up, rather than in the gorge.
E-mountain bikes were hired by Lorna and Simon for the day to test out and although they weren’t a fan of the bikes, the tracks and trails were all a must.
The local walk took you to the Alpine meadow on the way to Clapouse, this was less than 2 hours walk from the campsite and had stunning views, a small snow field, beautiful meadows and the usual chamois. Gemma ran back down the mountain but later confessed she got overtaken by 2 kids!
More adventurous hikes took you on a loop to Lac d’Euchauda which involved a bit of scrambling.
A couple of mountain huts were stayed in including the Refuge du Glacier Blanc, Refuge de Pelvoux and the Refuge du Ecrins. Different parties took on different expeditions from the huts although the overall outcome was the ground was loose and melting. The guides and hut guardians told us that many weren’t going to the summits due to the conditions being harder now due to warmer temperatures. And even those that had visited the area 15-20years ago noticed that the glaciers had receded dramatically.
All those that took part in the expeditions made it back to the campsite in one piece although it was only Gemma that took to the cold-water therapy of late afternoon dips in the glacial melt water stream that ran through the campsite.
All in all, a brilliant venue for sport climbing for all abilities as well as access to the mountains of the Ecrins. No doubt the club will be visiting again in the future (before all the snow goes?!).
We should start and have an annual summer abroad trip for mountaineering and climbing so all get your thinking caps on for a 2024 venue….Thanks for all the responses I had for this. I think all climbing dates are now filled for this year.
I’ll get the calendar updated when I return from France.Cheers
KialOnly a couple more weeks to go until Ailefroide.
So far I have confirmed as attending:Kial & Gemma
Lorna & Simon
Pete McGlynn
Mark & Adele
David & Linda
Geoff & his mate PhilCan you let me know and/or add your name and dates to the spreadsheet if you are coming along.
I’m creating a WhatsApp group for the trip, let me know if you want to be added.I’ve got myself a few guides for the area:
GR54 tour of the Ecrin guide
Classic routes in the Ecrins mountaineering guide by Editions Constant
Classic snow, rock & mixed climbs by Vertebrate Publishing
Briancon Climbs the French & English selected rock climbing guide
David is also taking along a few from the club library.Activities people are planning:
Walking – long or multiday
Climbing
Mountaineering
Bikes?Hope to see you there
Kial & GemmaDue to this being cancelled with a lack of interest I propose to utilise one of the four venues as Sundays meet.
We haven’t visited or due to visit Hen Cloud this year so this will be the new meet for Sunday 18th June.
Meet in the roadside parking at 9am (it fills up early, you will get a parking ticket if you aren’t in a designated parking spot).Please let me know if you intend on going.
Cheers
KialJust to point out that the email you’ll all have received from Gemma’s original message didn’t contain links (the message board gets rid of these when sending the emails out).
So please refer to the message on the website message board to access the links to ticklists, cycle route info & registration to make planning and co-ordination possible.
Thanks
KialHi Mary,
Me and Gemma are coming, just booked the campsite for Fri, Sat and Sunday nights.
Cheers
KialA not so wintery week didn’t stop a 14 strong Castle contingent ticking off 15 munros between us with ice axes and crampons being used sporadically on most days.
Day 1:
A unusually early castle start of 7:30am at Creag Meagaidh car park. We split into two groups to make the ascent, one group opting for Easy Gully while the others took on Raeburn’s Gully. From there parties split and either descend The Window or carry on for the full round of munros (Creag Meagaidh, Stob Poite Coire Ardair, Carn Liath).
Day 2:
We made the most of the best weather and did an anti-clockwise round of The Ring of Steel, finishing off crossing the wire bridge under torch light even though we’d made another pre 8am start! Munros covered – Sgrr A’Mhaim, Am Bodach, Stob Coire A’Chairn, An Gearanach
Day 3:
Some decided on a rest day and explored the local cafe while the majority headed up Stob Ban (the little one). Whilst 3 brave souls decided to climb the wet, greasy & slimy Castle Ridge which had zero snow & ice – it was a long day getting back to the digs at 10pm.
Day 4:
A rest day for all (although a few did opt for indoor climbing at Kin Loch Leven).
Day 5:
3 parties today, 8 went to do the Easains which consists of 2 munros. A really interesting route although everyone was bored of trudging through bog for the last 5 miles. A party of 3 headed a little further east and summited Creag Pitridh and Geal Charn. Two others headed over to Appin in search of snow but only found wet rock an the ascent up School House Ridge to Sgorr Dhonuill & Sgorr Dhearg.
Day 6:
A train day for some, others over slept and missed it! Those who did get up early enough took the train to Corrour and either summited the munro (Beinn Na Lap) or the corbett (Leum Uilleim) only 29m lower. Later in the evening people visited the Fort William Mountain Festival taking in lectures from Tom Patey and 6 films in the running for the adventure film awards.Thanks to everyone that came and made it a very enjoyable week, lets hope for some snow next year!
Short notice but I now have one space free for this trip, Richard can’t make it anymore.
Does anybody want to take his spot? Give me a call if you are interested, first come first servedCheers
Kial
07917 440918A chilly start saw 5 members plus two new attendees heading up the valley to join Oaken Clough which turned out be be a bit of a soggy route up for a couple of people!
A quick coffee break at the top of the clough while drying out in the sun. We then had a easy walk along the Pennine way and cut across to Chew reservoir. Crossing over below the dam we followed the edge round to Charnel Clough and lunch. Heading down the clough was a much drier affair than the previous up.
An easy walk up Chew Brook saw us at the bottom of Wilderness Gully East, again much drier than earlier on but very green on the alternate finish squeezing through & under boulders.
Heading back to Chew Reservoir we then headed across moorland (not exactly in a straight line) to reach Hollins Clough and Lads Leap.
From here we had an easy walk back along the path to the carpark.
Great day out, thank to all that came.
A few pics of the day on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/365080970512881/permalink/1857393054614991/
Cheers
KialUpdate to Tuesday indoor climbing:
First Tuesday of the month will be at the Foundry with the remaining Tuesdays at Awesome Walls.The Foundry:
10th January
7th February
7th MarchAwesome Walls:
17th & 24th January
14th, 21st & 28th February
14th, 21st & 28th MarchHI Terry,
No this isn’t the Friday climbing session at Awesome Walls. This is for people to suggest areas they would like to climb in the coming year to help put the calendar of events together.
Everyone welcome and encouraged to come along, it would be great to get more people involved in leading meets throughout the year.Kial
Remainder about the climbing meeting this coming Friday, come along if you can. If you can’t make it then send me your suggestions.
Thanks
Kial