Ailefroide

Overview

Geographical classification: Western Alps > High Dauphiné Alps > Ailefroide

L'ailefroide (3954m) is the third summit in Ecrins massif after Barre des Ecrins (4102m) and La Meije (3983m). Mont Pelvoux (3946m) is a little bit lower than Ailefroide.
L'ailefroide is close to Barre des Ecrins and there is only one summit in between (Pic Coolidge). L'ailefroide belongs to the same ridge than Mont Pelvoux and Pic Sans Nom (3914m).
L'ailefroide is a 2 km long high E-W ridge. The lower point on this ridge is 3781m high.

The 3 ridge main summits are (from E to W):
L'ailefroide Orientale(3848m)
L'ailefroide Centrale (3928m)
L'ailefroide Occidentale(3954m)

The mountain is complex. It has 3 faces: the North face [800 Hm] with a glacier in the face and above Glacier Noir, the huge NW face [1050 Hm] above Coste Rouge Glacier, and the complex South side above L'ailefroide Glacier.

L'ailefroide gives a lot of route from snow normal route to extremely difficult rock and ice route.

The easiest and normal route is to climb L'ailefroide Orientale(3848m) using S ridge or SW side at begining of season.

The normal route starts from Sélé hut

Ailefroide Orientale

Coste Rouge

Ailefroide Centrale and Occidentale

Ailefroide north face

Ailefroide north west face

Getting There

for all faces except NW face:
Durance valley - Argentière - Vallouise - Ailefroide

for NW face
Vénéon valley - St Christophe en Oisans - La bérarde

Red Tape

They are national park rules to respect. Mountains are free for climbing in France.

When To Climb

end of june to september

Camping and facilities

Camping:
There is an extensive campsite on the way into Ailefroide village.


Facilities:
Ailefroide has four hotels, two small shops (selling a very good variety of food, a number of gear shops, bars, restaurants and a Bureau des Guides.
Vallouise has in addition bank, doctor, pharmacy.

Accomodations and huts:
http://www.les-ecrins-parc-national.fr/medias/FicheHeberg2001.pdf
http://www.les-ecrins-parc-national.fr/medias/CarteRefGitesWeb.pdf

Mountain Conditions

meteo 7 days Briançon

meteo 7 days Bourg d'Oisans

meteo 7 days Grenoble

meteo 7 days Gap

routes overview

Route name: Sélé Pass
Difficulty: PD
Time required: hut to basis: 3.30h-4h + 6h-7h to summit = 9.30h-11h
Essential gear: crampons
Start point: Pilatte hut (2572m) or Sélé hut (2511m)
Top point: Sélé Pass (3278m)
Difference in height: hut to Pass 706m or 568m
First ascent:F.F. Tuckett, M. Croz, P. Perren July 14 1862

Route name: Orientale Ailefroide normal route (S Ridge)
Difficulty: PD (if on snow)
Time required: hut to summit: 5h
Essential gear: crampons
Start point: Sélé hut (2710m)
Top point: Oriental Ailefroide (2511m)
Difference in height: 1330m
First ascent:J. Nérot, Emile Pic, Giraud-Lézin August 25 1880

normal route montagne-virtuel topo


Route name: Occidentale Ailefroide Glacier Long route
Difficulty: D (40°-50° snow)
Time required (W face and SW Ridge option): hut to basis: 2h + 3h-5h to glacier top + 4h-5h to top= 9h-12h
Time required (frères Chamois Breach and SW Ridge option): hut to basis: 2h + 3h-5h to glacier top + 1.30h to breach + 2.30h-3h to top = 9h-11.30h
Essential gear: crampons, crabs, mousquetons
Start point: Carrelet hut (1908m) or bivouac near Coste Rouge Glacier (2600m) to win 2h
Mid points (W face and SW Ridge option): glacier top (3400m)
Mid points (Breach and SW Ridge option): glacier top (3400m), frères Chamois Breach (3545m)
Top point: Occidentale Ailefroide (3954m)
Difference in height (W face and SW Ridge option): 1138m + 550m = 1688m
Difference in height (Breach and SW Ridge option): 1138m + 700m = 1838m
First ascent (W face and SW Ridge option):M. Bost, J. Charignon August 16 1933
First ascent (Breach and SW Ridge option):F. Perrin, C. Verne, Pierre Gaspard Ch. Clot, J. Turc, August 3 1889

Route name: Occidentale Ailefroide Central Spur route
Difficulty: ED (lots of IV, V, 3x Vsup, 1x VI)
Time required: hut to basis: 1h to summit: 12h-15h
Essential gear: crampons (one per group), mousquetons
Start point: bivouac near Coste Rouge Glacier (2600m) [Access from Carrelet hut].
Top point: Occidentale Ailefroide (3954m)
Difference in height: 1350m
First ascent:L. Devies, G. Gervasutti July 23-24 1936

Route name: Central Ailefroide Coste Rouge route
Difficulty: D (high route conditions)
Time required: Coste Rouge Pass to summit: 7h-8h
Essential gear: crampons, mousquetons
Start point: bivouac near Coste Rouge Pass (3195m) [windy and no water].
Start point (option): small hut near Temple Pass (3250m) [5 places only].
Top point: Central Ailefroide (3928m)
Difference in height: 733m
First ascent:L. Devies, G. Gervasutti July 23-24 1936

Route name: Central Ailefroide north face route
Difficulty: TD inf danger of ice or rock fall at low part.
Time required: Coste Rouge Pass to summit: 8h-12h
Essential gear: crampons, crabs, pitons, mousquetons
Start point: small hut near Temple Pass (3250m) [5 places only] or bivouac near Temple Pass (3250m).
Top point: Central Ailefroide (3928m)
Difference in height: 800m
First ascent:M; Fourastier, H. Le Breton, A. Manhès, september 1 1936

L'ailefroide huts

Ailefroide glaciers

Glacier Noir.
Glacier de l'Ailefroide.
Glacier de Coste Rouge.
Glacier du Coup de Sabre.
Glacier Suspendu.
Glacier Long.
Glacier Gris.

old pictures

Panorama from L'Ailefroide

External Links

• Ecrins National Park Official Site
  You will find there lots of informations about the National Park
  

Additions and CorrectionsPost an Addition or Correction

Images

View Ailefroide Image Gallery - 170 Images