Steve Richards is co-ordinating this meet. A number of members have already signed up but there is plenty of room for more
 
Dates for the core meet are 26 July – 9 August, though arriving early and/or staying on is strongly encouraged!
 
Where: Ailefroide, Ecrins National Parc, France
 
Accommodation: Camping (other options will be available for those who cannot camp).
 
Ailefroide is a small hamlet in the Vallouise/Pelvoux Valley, overlooked by Mt Pelvoux. Close by is the more populous spread of Vallouise/Pelvoux. The campsite at Ailefroide is large, popular and receives good reviews. Limited gites/chalets etc are available in the hamlet or further down the valley in Vallouise/Pelvoux, but the intent is to stay sociable and camp/motorhome/campervan if possible for all. Ailefroide village has limited facilities – a couple of restaurants and shops. 

Of those who have signed up to attend so far, four will be staying in a local chalet, while the rest have opted to use the spacious and well appointed campsite – the latter will open for bookings in May.  
The area is stunning, with rock climbing from the campsite, trails to mountain refuges or other mountain routes and scenery, plus some fine alpine peaks with routes at all grades. There are refuges for 2 day/1 night alpine climbs etc. Peaks for the ambitious are Mt Pelvoux (3946m), Le Barre des Ecrins (4102m – the only 4000m peak in France outside the Mont Blanc massif) and L’Ailefroide (3954m). There are also via ferrata and mountain biking opportunities.

 
Steve is looking to buy up-to-date guide books to provide further information, though there is plenty online if you are interested. With significant glacial retreat, even relatively recent guidebooks can be unreliable, so he’s searching for the best data available.
Six members have also committed to a 3-day course of alpine mountaineering instruction through the services of Tim Blakemore, a British Mountaineering Guide. It may be possible to extend Tim’s commitment or to bring in another guide, if more Members would like to do some training – subject to getting the numbers right and further discussion with Tim (reasonably soon).

If you are new to the Club or were unsure about attending, do consider this meet – a welcome return to the Alps. All are welcome and there remains time to sort out travel, accommodation etc, plans for which continue to evolve. You can email Steve Richards (sw.richards@tiscali.co.uk) for more information or a discussion about the meet.

 
Some links for interest:
 
Google Maps

Camping Ailefroide
 
Local Info – worth exploring this site

Local Via Ferrata

Digital Rockfax guide – if you subscribe:

 
What information do I need now?
Early indication of intent to attend, so that I can judge numbers and interest etc.
Names and numbers likely to attend.
What dates you would attend ie all or part of the period?
Are you interested in alpine/glacier instruction?
Will you camp or motorhome/campervan?
Would you rather stay in a chalet, subject to price/availability (I will research if sufficient interest)?
Please fill in the form below as soon as you can. There is no obligation but advice of any change of plans would be appreciated.
 
This is a chance to visit a slightly less crowded corner of the French Alps and enjoy some mountain scenery – at whatever level you wish from pleasant walks through to full alpinism. Looking forward to a good meet!

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