{"id":45846,"date":"2025-07-24T14:01:19","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T12:01:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paysdesecrins.com\/the-history-of-mountaineering\/"},"modified":"2025-08-05T14:22:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T12:22:50","slug":"the-history-of-mountaineering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.paysdesecrins.com\/en\/my-desire-to\/discovery\/the-history-of-mountaineering\/","title":{"rendered":"The history of mountaineering"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t The history of mountaineering\t \t <\/h1>\n\t <\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n\t <\/div>\n\t \n
Home<\/a><\/span> My desire to<\/a><\/span> My desire for Discovery<\/a><\/span> The history of mountaineering<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

Mountaineering in the Pays des \u00c9crins<\/strong><\/em>A story of passion, peaks and exploits<\/h2><\/div>\n\n

Here, in the \u00c9crins, mountaineering is not just a sport. It is a culture, a memory engraved in rock and ice. It is said that the first ascents were made by shepherds, without traces, without glory \u2013 just to go from one valley to another. However, Man ventured early on these heights, long before the word “mountaineer” was invented. <\/p>\n\n

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From founding feats to scientific discoveries<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It was in 1492 that mountaineering made its first significant appearance: a band of reckless climbers climbed Mont Aiguille with ladders. Later, in 1786, two Savoyards climbed Mont Blanc. This scientific ascent truly marked the beginning of modern mountaineering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the \u00c9crins, the pioneers are not to be outdone. The massif quickly attracted the first glaciologists, fascinated by its secrets. It is even here that the great theories on ancient climates and plate tectonics were born. No less. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Golden Age:<\/em> The English conquer the summits<\/h3><\/div>\n\n

In the nineteenth century, the peaks became the playground of English adventurers. Whymper (yes, the one in the statue in L’Argenti\u00e8re) climbs the Barre des \u00c9crins. Coolidge, on the other hand, multiplies the climbs and gives his name to several routes. In 1877, three Frenchmen finally tamed the Meije, the last great virgin peak in the Alps. The golden age of mountaineering is coming to an end. <\/p>\n\n

But the adventure continues in other ways: solos, winter, north faces… The feat also becomes aesthetic. It is no longer a question of being the first, but of drawing the most beautiful, the most committed, the freest line. <\/p>\n\n

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Ailefroide, the beating heart of mountaineering<\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Today, Ailefroide<\/strong> is the Mecca of mountaineering in the \u00c9crins. Starting from the great classics (Barre and D\u00f4me des \u00c9crins), it attracts climbers and dreamers. In the 1980s, Jean-Michel Cambon equipped the first sport climbing routes there. The rock became a cult figure. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Extend the exploration<\/h4><\/div>\n\n

Want to discover history in a different way? Download the Hautes-Alpes Heritage<\/em> app. A digital guidebook, ideal for not missing anything of the history that is still being written, here, between sky and peaks. <\/p>\n\n

Immerse yourself in the world of the high mountains<\/strong> in the heart of the Massif des \u00c9crins<\/strong> in the Hautes-Alpes<\/strong>. Different themes are addressed such as cartography<\/strong>, the experience of a high mountain guide<\/strong>, the 1st ascent of the Barre des \u00c9crins<\/strong>… <\/p>\n\n

Several speakers host this podcast: Claude Albrand<\/strong>, Philippe Bourdeau<\/strong>, Michel Tailland<\/strong>, Jacques Mille<\/strong>, Jean-Marc Barfety<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

Find this episode without further ado: <\/p>\n\n

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Podcast – history of mountaineering<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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