Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon

Organized by Jody Laoureux

Ice Climbing - Vars, La Forêt Blanche - Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon - 2

Ice Climbing - Vars, La Forêt Blanche - Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon - 3

Ice Climbing - Vars, La Forêt Blanche - Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon - 4

Ice Climbing - Vars, La Forêt Blanche - Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon - 5

Ice Climbing - Vars, La Forêt Blanche - Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon - 6

Ice Climbing - Vars, La Forêt Blanche - Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon - 7

Ice Climbing - Vars, La Forêt Blanche - Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon - 8

Ice Climbing - Vars, La Forêt Blanche - Ice fall climbing courses near Briançon - 9

Activity Snapshot

Fitness level: Occasionally sporty

Duration: 2-3 days

Meeting point:

Argentière la Bessée - Le Chambon, Champcella

Spoken languages: English, French

Minimum age: From 18 years-old and up

Cancellation policy: moderate More info

Opening seasons:

Activity description

Do you want to start icefall climbing but you are not too sure on what to begin with? Do you already have the basics and want to progress to reach isolated icy peaks? Go ahead and follow Jody for a course of 3 to 5 days of non-stop ice climbing!

The Briançon region offers several valleys ruled by the severe cold of winter. If you already have a little experience of ice climbing, climbing routes or simply the desire to discover the region and its activities... Follow the guide!

You can try to climb in the lead or behind the guide with ascents of several lengths, adapted to your level with the aim to make you as independent as possible. During 3 to 5 days, you will have many different routes and icefalls to explore and each time marvel at new horizons.

Spots
Every day you will go to a different climbing site between Fournel Freissinière and Aigues or Ceillac.

Vallon du Fournel - Le Monde des Glaces
Max altitude: 1560m
Altitude difference: +300m
Overall rating: TD- / ice quotation: 5
Approach walk of about 45 minutes. This icefall is a progressive route to a steep cigar that you will find after a length in snow. Beautiful "walk" on ice.

Freissinières - Les Viollins: Fracastorus
Max altitude: 1250m
Altitude difference: +200m
Overall rating: AD + / ice quotation: 3+
In 5 lengths (or 4 depending on the itinerary). Relay on spits, jumps and relays on pads on a rock or a tree... A sporty route that can be adapted to different levels.

Ceillac - Formes du Chaos
Max altitude: 2000m
Altitude difference: +310m
Overall rating: D + / ice quotation: 4
This icefall is known in the region for its series of projections and a clear view on the mountains and slopes.
Approach walk of 10 minutes. 6 relatively short lengths with an inclination of 75° to 85°. Up 2000 meters you cross the path of a great hiking trail, here you can choose to return to the park or to keep going on a tube and a narrow fault before the last length on a steep wall or in the bed of the stream.

Terres Blanches - Lake Fangeas
Type: summit
Altitude: 2100m
Beautiful ascension of 20 minutes from Lake Fangeas. You will rapidly find yourself surrounded by ice for a 2 hours climb.

Offers

3 day course

Book now Gift

You will meet your guide on the first day at 9am to start the 3-day course.

On the first day you warm-up and begin with easy routes and exercises to view the basics and learn safety rules before moving on to roping.

Every day, depending on your progress, the difficulty of the routes will increase to help you go always further up to the point when you can climb a massice icefall and climb in the lead if you feel like it.