le tour de la grande ruine :
A good alternative to the Tour de la Meije, this 2 or 3 day circuit includes the ascent of Pointe Brevoort and the passage under the ‘Himalayan’ north face of the Grande Ruine. One night and 4 passes above 3000m, this is a real high mountain experience !
Total vertical ascent: 2850m
Day 1 : Climb to the Refuge de l’Alpe de Villar d’Arène or Chamoissière, 400m+
Day 2 : Ascent of Pointe Brevoort (3765m) to Adele Plancard refuge, 1700m+
Day 3 : Return to Villar via the Neige, Casse Deserte and Grande Ruine passes, 750m+
Le tour de neige cordier :
A 2 day circuit, physically and technically demanding but worth it for the view of the ‘Barre des Ecrins’ (Ecrins mountain range).
Ice axe and crampons are a must, there is great skiing on the descent and a memorable climb of the shoulder of Neige Cordier.
Total vertical ascent: 2000m
Day 1 : Climb to the Refuge de l’Alpe de Villar d’Arène or Chamoissière, 400m+
Day 2 : Ascension of the Neige Cordier peak (3614m) and descent of the Glacier des Agneaux, 1600m+
