Ice climbing: Ice climbing in the Pays des Écrins
Micro-Adventure Ice climbing: making progress step by step on the ice
Camille, Étienne, and I had been talking about it for quite some time: we wanted to take an ice climbing course. This time, we’re finally taking the plunge and heading to the Pays des Écrins in the middle of January. We’re embarking on an ice climbing adventure!
When Camille promises us a series of spine-chilling adventures!
Camille took the bull by the horns and started looking for information. Comfortably settled in an armchair in front of the fireplace with a blanket on her lap, she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine at what she discovered online. Before her eyes was the enticing program for a four-day event called“Ice Climbing Écrins—Have a Ice Day,” which takes place every year in L’Argentière-La Bessée in the Hautes-Alpes. Without a moment’s hesitation, she contacts us and has no trouble convincing us to join her on her icy adventures. Once we’d dug out our down jackets, mittens, and warm boots, we were all set to take on the most beautiful icefalls! Well, almost—because we were about to discover that it takes a good dose of technique.
Ice Climbing: It’s All About Crampons, Ice Axes, and Fun
Fresh off the train at L’Argentière-La Bessée, we drop off our things at our lodging and head out to rent the necessary gear. After the required safety briefing, we head to the opening night party. The atmosphere is great, and the ice is quickly broken. We love it!
Day Two: Things get serious with our first ice climbing lesson. I’ll admit I’m feeling a little nervous on the shuttle bus taking us to the workshop. Camille and Étienne can’t stop chatting and giggling, proof that they, too, are nervous. But they’d never admit it. Thanks to our two great guides, we easily slip into the role of novice climbers.
We’re so excited about taking our first steps in crampons on the ice and taking our first swings with our ice axes. Even though it’s cold, the atmosphere is so incredible that we don’t even notice it. Ice is a fascinating element: it takes on bluish hues, sparkles brilliantly, and appears sometimes smooth, sometimes jagged. It’s a real treat! And, honestly, this first experience has convinced all three of us that ice climbing isn’t out of reach… as long as you have top-notch guidance.
The rest of the trip flies by. We continue our introduction to ice climbing and try our hand at dry-tooling. Camille and I discover ski touring while Étienne plays at being a trapper, snowshoes on his feet. Our evenings are just as packed with concerts, movies, and discussions. I have just one regret: not having time to take part in the ice dancing workshop. Dancing with the elements—I can only dream of it!
Four timeless days are coming to an end. The days have flown by, one after another, joyfully. It’s already time to head home, my head full of delightfully icy memories, a smile frozen on my lips.
Try ice climbing once, and you’ll be hooked for life
On the train ride home, the three of us agreed. We absolutely have to keep up the momentum and find an ice climbing course before the end of winter. Several local professionals offer them throughout the season. We met a few of them during our stay in the Pays des Écrins. We need to coordinate our schedules, but one thing’s for sure: we’ll be back in a few weeks to this part of the Hautes-Alpes that we enjoyed so much.
“I can’t wait to get back on the ice and experience those unforgettable feelings it has given me.”