guide have been chosen with a particular hut, lake, pass or viewpoint being the goal, while the principal objective of each outing is to enjoy a day's (or half-day's) exercise among some of the finest mountain scenery in France. But to gain the most from such a holiday one needs to be in reasonably good physical condition, so do try to get fit before travelling to the Alps. Then you will not be daunted by a steep and seemingly endless uphill trail, and the first day of the holiday can be as enjoyable as the last.
Avoid being over-ambitious for the first few days, especially if you've never walked in the Alps before. It's better to increase height gain and distance steadily as you grow accustomed to the scale of these mountains – which initially may seem quite daunting. A range of walks has been chosen, so there should be something for everyone. They fall into three categories, graded 1–3, with the highest grade denoting the more challenging routes. However, this grading system is purely subjective, and newcomers to the Alps (particularly at the start of a holiday) might consider a Grade 2 outing serious enough. There are moderate walks (Grade 1) that would appeal to all active members of a family, but the majority of routes described are graded 2 or 3, largely resulting from the severity of the landscape.
The approach to Refuge du Sélé involves several scrambling sections (Route 35)
Within the Parc National des Écrins most paths are well maintained and waymarking adequate to good, but some of the more adventurous routes cross terrain where trails are non-existent beyond a vague line of cairns. In such places it is essential to remain alert and observant in order to avoid becoming lost – especially in poor visibility. If in doubt about the onward route, return to the last point where you were certain of your whereabouts and try again. If you consult the map frequently during the walk you should be able to keep abreast of your position and anticipate junctions before reaching them.
CHECKLIST
Check the weather forecast before setting out (see above). Be aware that all Alpine areas are subject to rapidly changing conditions, and throughout the day watch for tell-tale signs and be prepared with appropriate clothing.
When starting out on a full-day's walk carry food (including emergency rations such as chocolate or dried fruit) and at least 1 litre of liquid per person to avoid dehydration.
Leave details of your planned route and expected time of return with a responsible person, or (if you have your own transport) leave a note with such details visible in your car.
Be vigilant when crossing wet rocks, scree, snow patches and mountain streams. If you come to a section of path safeguarded by fixed ropes or chains, check that they have not worked loose before relying on them.
Do not stray onto glaciers unless you have experience, companions and the necessary equipment to deal with crevasse rescue. Keep away from icefalls and hanging glaciers.
Avoid dislodging stones onto others who might be below you.
Never be reluctant to turn back in face of deteriorating weather or if the route becomes hazardous. In the event of your being unable to reach the place where you're expected, try to send a message.
Carry map and compass with you – and know how to use them.
Always carry some first aid equipment, as well as a whistle and torch for use in emergencies. The emergency telephone number for mountain rescue (secours en montagne) is: 04 92 22 22 22. Try not to use it!
Make a note of the International Distress Signal, which is six blasts on a whistle (and flashes with a torch after dark) followed by a minute's silence. Then repeat until an answer is received. The reply is three signals followed by a minute's pause.
Be insured against accidents (rescue and subsequent medical treatment), for although mountain rescue here is highly efficient it can be very expensive for the casualty. (See Appendix C for addresses of specialist mountain insurance companies.)
And finally, please help to keep the mountains and their valleys litter-free. Remember to carry a spare plastic bag in your rucksack for any leftover cans, bottles and food wrappers, and dispose of them properly in your valley base.
Suggested Equipment List
Experienced hill walkers will no doubt have their own preferences, but for newcomers to the Alps the following list is offered as a guide. Some of these items will not be needed if you only envisage tackling low valley walks.
Clothing
Walking boots – must be comfortable, well fitting, with ankle support and plenty of grip in the soles
Trainers or similar for wear in huts, hotels and villages
Wind- and waterproof jacket and overtrousers
Umbrella
Woollen hat and sunhat
Gloves
Fleece or woollen sweater
Shirts – 2 or 3 for a fortnight's holiday
Warm long trousers, slacks or breeches – not jeans which are very cold when wet
Shorts (optional)
Walking socks
Underwear
Miscellaneous
Rucksack – with waterproof liner and/or cover
Sheet sleeping bag (if you plan to stay in huts)
Bivvy bag – in case of emergencies
Trekking pole(s) – very useful on steep descents, scree, snow, stream crossings, etc
Headtorch plus spare batteries and bulbs
Water bottle (minimum 1 litre)
Sunglasses, suncream/sunblock and lip salve
First aid kit
Map and compass
Whistle
Watch
Guidebook
Penknife
Camera and films
Binoculars
Altimeter and GPS
Dôme de Neige des Écrins, from Tête de la Maye (Route 64)
Recommended Maps
All the walks included in this guide may be followed using just one map: Carte de Randonnées Écrins published by Rando Éditions at a scale of 1:50,000 (1cm = 500m or roughly 1¼in = 1 mile). This may be obtained from major map stockists in the UK (addresses given in Appendix C), and is available in most valley centres
