Meets Calendar

Howard Whitaker is helping coordinate a trip to the Parc national des Écrins for the last week of August 2026. He knows the area well and is keen to share it with others. The great thing about Écrins is that it offers something for everyone:

Alpine climbing – Ailfroide is the gateway to big routes like Mont Pelvoux, Barre des Écrins (over 4000m), and La Meije.

Via ferrata – The area is home to many routes, including the oldest in France, which is definitely worth doing.

Hiking – From classic walks up to Glacier Blanc to trips to mountain huts, there’s plenty to explore.

Rock Climbing – Around the Ailfroide campsite you’ll find stunning granite crags with well-bolted single-pitch routes, plus long multi-pitch climbs (up to 10 pitches). There are also trad valley classics, including “The Fissure” and ”Snoopy” which practically starts from the campsite.

Cycling – The region has ski resorts with MTB uplifts for downhill riding, as well as legendary Tour de France cols for road biking.

Accommodation
Camping at Ailfroide is the preferred base (Map), and there are also other options further down the valley for anyone with transport. Those driving from the UK can help bring gear for those flying into Grenoble, Lyon, Chambery or Geneva.

Next steps
We have set up an Écrins 2026 group within the CMC community where anyone interested can join, share ideas, and discuss plans.