{"id":45951,"date":"2025-07-24T10:05:57","date_gmt":"2025-07-24T08:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.paysdesecrins.com\/45951-2\/"},"modified":"2025-07-29T18:51:54","modified_gmt":"2025-07-29T16:51:54","slug":"45951-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.paysdesecrins.com\/en\/45951-2\/","title":{"rendered":"History of mountaineering"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Home<\/a><\/span> History of mountaineering<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n

Podcast<\/em>History of mountaineering : from clogs to crampons<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n

Before ropes and ice axes, it was the shepherds who led the way, crossing passes and valleys in hooves, not to mention exploits. Then in the eighteenth century, scientists took over: geologists, glaciologists, botanists… They do not aim for the summits, but observe, note, map. The spirit of exploration is launched.<\/p>\n\n

The real trigger? 1864. Edward Whymper, a British mountaineer, climbed the Barre des \u00c9crins (4,102 m) with local guides. He published his story in London: the \u00c9crins became a “little Himalayas” for European climbers. William Coolidge followed, who traced mythical great routes: the Pelvoux, the Grande Ruine, the Coolidge corridor… <\/p>\n\n

Between 1870 and 1914, it was the golden age. Mountaineering becomes a matter of performance and prestige. The French Alpine Club developed the first refuges: Glacier Blanc, Temple \u00c9crins, C\u00e9zanne… And in 1877, the Meije finally fell. Then, it’s time for the amateurs: do you dream of a 3000? It’s within reach of cleats (and well-trained legs). <\/p>\n\n

1980s: a new lease of life in Ailefroide, where Jean-Michel Cambon opened large-scale pleasure climbing routes, accessible but demanding. Today, the \u00c9crins combines classic mountaineering, sport climbing, steep slope skiing, and high-altitude trails. The spirit remains the same: adventure, humility and respect for the mountains. <\/p>\n\n

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Where to relive the history of mountaineering in the \u00c9crins?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n