2012 Alpine Trip Advance Note

Overseas Trip to the GR54 and
Parc National des Écrins area of France (advance note)

Please note .. this trip will not be going ahead! A valley-based trip in a different Alpine area is being planned as a replacement ....

The proposal is to visit the area of France to the southwest of Grenoble known as the Parc National des Écrins, probably leaving on Friday 24 August and returning on Tuesday 4 September. We would fly from Edinburgh to Geneva courtesy of Easyjet, then travel by some method to Grenoble, and on to our destinations within the Parc. There will be two options available ...

The trekking route will be on part of the GR54. The Parc National des Écrins is the largest and highest national park in France and contains one of the most challenging of alpine environments. The GR54 long distance footpath carves a circular route through and around these mountains and is considered to be one of the toughest multi-day treks in Europe. Please note that the guide book states that there are a number of parts where the paths are narrow and exposed, and that it's a demanding route. However, no technical skills are required, although some scrambling ability, sure-footedness and a reasonable head for heights all come in useful.

The whole route is 176km long and would take 13 days. However, starting at Le Monêtier-les-Bains, it would take 9 stages to get to Bourg d’Oisans. This part is mainly to the south and west of the route and would be approximately 120km in length and crosses several cols in excess of 2600m. As there are 9 stages, we would have the opportunity of staying 2 nights at 1 location which could allow for a rest day or an attempt on a summit. The table below shows the times estimated in the guide book for each stage ...

Day	From	To	Likely time
1	Le Monêtier-les-Bains	Vallouise	6½ - 7 hours
2	Vallouise	Refuge des Bans	4½ hours
3	Refuge des Bans	Refuge de Pré de la Chaumette	7 - 7½ hours
4	Refuge de Pré de la Chaumette	Refuge de Vallonpierre	4½ hours
5	Refuge de Vallonpierre	Refuge de Souffles	7½ - 8 hours
6	Refuge de Souffles	Le Désert-en-Valjouffrey	4½ hours
7	Le Désert-en-Valjouffrey	Valsenestre	4½ hours
8	Valsenestre	Refuge de la Muzelle	5½ - 6 hours
9	Refuge de la Muzelle	Bourg d'Oisans	7 hours

One of the main points of entry to the Écrins region is the town of Bourg d'Oisans .. the finishing point for the trekking route. Initial research suggests that a good base would be the village of La Grave in the Vallée de la Romanche, 28km east of Bourg .. click here for some more information. There are 5 hotels and 3 gîtes in the immediate area, and a range of at least 14 day walks available, including using the cableway access to areas below the local mountain called La Meije. There's also a range of other activities around the village for any non-walking days .....

Once I know how many would be interested in doing this, I'll firm up on accommodation and costs.

The return Easyjet flight from Edinburgh to Geneva is likely to cost around £150. Travel from Geneva to Grenoble and on to Bourg d'Oisans, La Grave and Le Monêtier-les-Bains will probably be by bus, but we could investigate minibus hire if timings prove to be awkward. Adding accommodation costs and other meals could take the total, at a first guesstimate, to around £650.

At this stage we're looking for expressions of interest. Please Bob or Andy know, preferably by e-mail, by Sunday 4th March 2012 at the latest if you are interested.