DAYHIKING IN THE FRENCH ALPS of ECRINS NATIONAL PARK

DAYHIKING IN THE FRENCH ALPS of ECRINS NATIONAL PARK
                     July 12-23, 2022
                         AT# 2225
           TRIP RATING – Moderate to Vigorous
                  Click here for ratings description: Ratings description

Join us as we explore an area of Provence not frequented by most casual tourists. We will be on the
fringe of the French Alps utilizing ski lifts on some days to help us gain elevation. The Ecrins National
Park is a protected area of soaring mountain peaks, lush meadows, rushing streams, mirror lakes and
beautiful scenery in the heart of the French Alps.

Ecrins National Park is a mountainous region to the south-east of Grenoble, west of Briançon and north
of Gap and Embrun, on the border between the Rhone-Alps and Provence-Alps-Cote d'Azur regions.
Écrins National Park (in French Parc National des Écrins) is one of eight regions in France designated as
French national parks.

Ecrins National Park is visited by approximately 850,000 people each year, with many of these pursuing
various outdoor activities, in particular hikers and climbers.

It is of course the scenery that is the main attraction, and Ecrins contains more than 100 mountain peaks
over 9800 feet in altitude, with the Barre des Ecrins at 13458 feet being the highest point. It is also well
known for the extensive number of glaciers it contains.

Also, there are some designated natural reserves within the borders of the park such as Pics du
Combeynot, Vallée du Béranger, Vallée de Saint-Pierre, Vallée de la Séveraisse, Vallée du Vénéon, Cirque
du Lac des Estaris.

Although there are no major towns within the borders of the park itself there are several villages which
we will come across as we explore the region. The village of La Grave to the north of the park is
classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France. La Grave is high in the mountains 25 miles
north-west of Briançon. It is listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'. Because of the

mountains opposite the village it is also known as La Grave - La Meije, and it is these imposing
mountains around the village that also make it so scenic. Because of the altitude of the village there are
no wooden chalets to be found, because there are no trees (and because earlier fires in the town further
discouraged the idea). The buildings are therefore made of stone, with stone roofs. The houses are
constructed largely with volcanic rock, held together by a mortar made from earth. The village itself sits
on a slope nestled into the mountainside with a myriad of narrow streets winding between the sturdy
houses, and a small roman style church built in the 12th century in La Grave center. The village is proud,
and rightly so, that it has managed to avoid the visual impact of tourism on the town, and the facilities
that are here are well integrated into the rest of the village. The views from the village, and in the
surrounding countryside, are magnificent.

Briançon is a fortified mountain town at 4429 feet above sea level in the Hautes-Alpes department of
Provence, close to the French border with Italy and surrounded by alpine mountains, including the
spectacular mountain scenery of the Parc National des Ecrins and the Vallée de la Clarée which is one of
the 'Grand Sites of France'. The highest city in Europe, Briançon falls at the end of several important
valleys through the mountains - hence its historical importance for both defense and trade. Although
the fortifications that now dominate Briançon were added in the 17th-18th centuries to protect the
important routes between France, Italy and Austria the town has had an important defensive role to
play in the region dating back to roman times.

It is the old town, known as the Ville Haute, of Briançon which is of most interest to visitors (and the
reason why Briançon is now a protected French Historic Town and is listed as an official Town of Art and
History in France and much of this remains unchanged since it was redesigned and rebuilt by Vauban in
the 18th century following the destruction of much of the original town in 1692 by the duc de Savoie.

There are some notable monuments to discover (as well as the ever present military defenses). Enter
the town through the large stone gateway called the Porte de Pignerol and the main street of the town,
Grande Rue, runs steeply down the hillside from here and is lined with attractive old buildings. The
street is also known as the 'grande gargouille' after the drain that runs down the middle of the street to
prevent flooding. The 'drain' was in fact originally designed by Vauban to ensure a constant source of
water (the water runs from the hills above) to fight any fires as much of the 17th century destruction of
the town was due to fire.

The second half of our adventure will be spent in the Valle de La Clarée just northeast of Briançon.
The Vallée de la Clarée is a scenic valley in the French Alps near to Briançon and the French-Italian
border. The Clarée river runs through the valley. The mountains on either side are part of the Massif des
Cerces. To the west they are between 2800 and 2900m high, while on the east side they are between
2300 and 2400m high. Consequently, the snow is slow to melt and gives rise to the name of the central
commune Névache meaning "snowed". The valley lies at between 1400 and 2000m and contains
meadows and larch forest. This alpine situation creates great biological diversity with several different
habitats such as flooded soils and peat. The Vallée de la Clarée and the adjoining Vallée Etroite (literally
meaning narrow valley) cover 26,000 hectares and contain famous hiking trails (GR 57, Tour du Mont
Thabor, Grande Traversée des Alpes). The valleys are an exceptional area in that they have been

preserved in their natural state. Agriculture, forestry and the rearing of livestock are still carried out
traditionally.Crossed by the river of the same name, the stunning Clarée valley is dotted with charming
villages and hamlets feaTorinog beautiful churches decorated with wall paintings and sundials, houses
with larch shingle roofs and picturesque chapels, all surrounded by unspoiled nature.

Our Adventure Travel trip will have us flying in and out of Torino, Italy (just across the border from
Briançon, France) and transferring by bus to La Grave for a 5 night stay during which time we will go on
daily hikes in the surrounding mountains. Then we’ll transfer to the fantastically beautiful valley of La
Clarée for another 5 night stay. On the way to this scenic valley, we’ll stop in Briançon for a private
guided tour and time to shop/explore on our own for a few hours. Once in La Clarée, we’ll have daily
hikes to mountain lakes, enjoy the vistas and scenic trails. During all of our hikes, we’ll be accompanied
by local licensed hiking guides (as required by the French government). After our stay in La Clarée we’ll
go back to Torino for a one night’s prior to flying home.

Day by Day Itinerary:
Participants should have achieved a moderate level of hiking ability and be able to hike up to 12
miles per day on rolling or rocky terrain with up to 3400 feet elevation gain for about 4 to 7
hours. Hiking trails in the la Grave/La Clarée area travel through forests, open plateaus, along
ridges, alongside waterways (streams/rivers/creeks) and offer fantastic scenery.
This trip welcomes spouses, friends, and/or significant others who are not intermediate-
advanced hikers. One could use the many easier walking routes or do one of several alternate
activities. Although we will offer an activity each day, participants may opt to take a “day off”
at any point and make their own plans.

Hike descriptions and trail numbers reference the:
1) Cicerone Guide: Ecrins National Park
2) Cicerone Guide: Walking in the Briançonnais
Hikes are based on these descriptions but will not always follow the exact routes; we’ll adjust to
our needs/desires/trail conditions.

Both of these can be obtained online at https://www.cicerone.co.uk/ or through Amazon.

Day 1: July 12, 2022
Arrive in Torino airport and transfer directly to La Grave, France via charter bus. We will have a
group meeting in the afternoon or evening, and if time allows we’ll have a walking orientation
tour of La Grave.
Hotel: Hotel Panoramic or similar http://www.panoramic-village.com/en/
 Meals: (D)

Day 2: July 13, 2022
La Grave (4859' – Puy Vachier (6175')– Chal Vachere (6050') - La Grave
Our hike to Chalet de Chal Vachere will start from south of La Grave. We will climb through the
woodland and across sloping pastures with plenty of visual highlights.

Vertical rise and loss 1316’, about 6 - 7 hours (6 miles)
Hotel: Hotel Panoramic or similar http://www.panoramic-village.com/en/
Meals: (B, D)

Day 3: July 14, 2022
Villar d'Arene (5522') – Sources de la Romanche (7054') - Villar d'Arene (5522')
A truly splendid walk in magnificent surroundings, this fairly undemanding route leads to the
headwaters of the Romanche below the Glacier de la Plate des Agneaux.
Vertical rise and loss 1532’, about 6 - 7 hours (12 miles)
Hotel: Hotel Panoramic or similar http://www.panoramic-village.com/en/
Meals: (B, D)

Day 4: July 15, 2022
La Grave – Hameau de Valfroide – Lac du Goleon La Grave
Our hike will start from the highest point in La Grave. We will climb through the flower filled
meadows and have views onto the rooftops of La Grave. Our hike will take us to Lac du Goleon
which is trapped by a glacial sill in the hanging valley northeast of La Grave.
Vertical rise and loss 3196’, about 6 - 7 hours
Hotel: Hotel Panoramic or similar http://www.panoramic-village.com/en/
Meals: (B, D)

Day 5: July 16, 2022
La Grave – Lac De Puy Vachier –Refuge Evariste Chancel– La Grave
From our hotel we will walk to the western end of La Grave’s main street where we will start
our hike. Rising at an easy angle at first, the path then steepens, before contouring with the
view across the valley to La Grave. The path will lead us to a little Lac de Puy Vachier which is
lodged in a glacial cirque bounded by dark crags.
Vertical rise and loss 3362’’, about 6 - 7 hours
Hotel: Hotel Panoramic or similar http://www.panoramic-village.com/en/
Meals: (B, D)

Day 6: July 17, 2022
Today we transfer to the Vallee de La Clarée, where we’ll spend the next 5 nights. After arrival
we’ll explore the area around the hotel and get settled.
Hotel: L’Echaillon Hotel or similar hotel-echaillon.com/fr
Meals: (B, D)

Day 7: July 18, 2022
Today our walk starts and ends in the town of Nevache, it makes for a superb introduction to
the Clarée Valley. Starting from the beautifully situated village of Nevach, we climb through
aromatic larch forest to the Cote Rouge, a fantastic balcony high above the valley floor. The
views are exquisite. Afterwards, the Refuge de Buffere is a perfectly tranquil place for a spot of
lunch before returning to Nevache. Distance 6.5 miles, 4 hours and elevation gain/descent of
2034 feet.

Hotel: L’Echaillon Hotel or similar hotel-echaillon.com/fr
Meals: (B, D)

Day 8: July 19, 2022
Our route today takes us from Nevache up to Lak Noir (the black lake). The route is stunning
throughout and the lake itself is divine, set high above the Vallon Valley and surrounded by
ragged peaks. Hiking time will be about 5 hours with 2700 feet of elevation gain/descent over
the course of 7.75 miles
Hotel: L’Echaillon Hotel or similar hotel-echaillon.com/fr
Meals: (B, D)

Day 9: July 20, 2022
Today is a free day for you to explore the area, schedule a massage, go shopping, rest etc.
Hotel: L’Echaillon Hotel or similar hotel-echaillon.com/fr
Meals: (B, D)

Day 10: July 21, 2022
Our last hike of the trip will a classic Clarée walk. It involves a visit to the beautiful Col des
Thures near the mighty Mont Thabor and a very pretty lake with lovely views back into the
Clarée Valley and beyond. The final few kilometers of the route involve a magnificent stroll
along the base of the Clarée Valley towards Nevache. Hiking time will be about 4.5 hours over
the course of 8.85 miles with elevation gain/loss of 2400 feet.
Hotel: L’Echaillon Hotel or similar hotel-echaillon.com/fr
Meals: (B, D)

Day 11: July 22, 2022
Transfer back to Torino, Italy via private charter bus with stop in Briançon for a private guided
tour of the historic old center. We will stay overnight at a hotel close to the Torino, Italy airport
to facilitate flights home tomorrow.
Hotel: Jet Hotel or similar
Meals: (B)

Day 12: July 23, 2022
Depart back to USA
Meals: (B)

Leaders’ right to change itinerary:

While the itinerary in this prospectus is what the leaders have planned at the time of writing,
various factors may require changes for reasons of safety, transportation or lodging availability,
and unforeseeable circumstances (such as weather considerations, natural disasters in areas to
be visited, or recommendations of governmental agencies). The leaders reserve the right to
make such changes as necessary, both before and during the trip.

Leaders’ expectations of participants:

When you participate in this activity, you should be in proper condition for the challenges
outlined in this prospectus and equipped with the appropriate gear as stated. You should
always be aware of the risks involved and conduct yourself accordingly. You are ultimately
responsible for your own safety. Prior to your acceptance as a participant in this trip, you will be
asked to discuss your capabilities and experience with us. We may also request references to
confirm your fitness level and suitability for participating in trip activities.

This trip is designed so that everyone may experience our adventure in Austria through shared
participation in activities and tasks in an organized group environment. AMC travelers are
known for their cooperative efforts, and expectations are that all participants will be
considerate of others sharing this AMC Adventure Travel experience.

It may happen on any trip that a trip member is or becomes unable to participate in one or
more of the planned activities. Leaders in their sole judgment have the right and obligation to
refuse participation in any activity to any group member for reasons of safety, whether it will
be of the group or of the individual. Illness, injury or lack of proper gear or fitness for a
particular activity are examples of some conditions that might result in a participant’s being
unable to perform one or more activity. Leaders may try to find a substitute activity for the trip
member, but this may not always be possible.

Tying trip to AMC mission:

AMC Adventure Travel trips are run in a manner supportive of and consistent with the
conservation, recreational and educational principles and mission of the Club. Trip leaders
encourage participant conduct consistent with Leave No Trace environmental and conservation
principles and local regulations.

AMC Membership

If you would like to join AMC, and save $100 off the cost of the trip, please visit the website:
Join AMC

What trip price of $3950(AMC members); $4050 (non AMC members) includes:

      10 nights 3 star shared accommodation hotels in La Grave and Clarée Valley
      1 night at Torino Airport hotel
      Use of local bus in the area for group travel
      Local licensed French hiking guides (required by France)
      All breakfasts and most dinners as specified in itinerary
      Private group tour of Briançon
      On group round trip fare on La Grave cable car

   Group charter bus transfer between Torino airport and hotel in La Grave
      AMC overhead expense fee
      Medical Evacuation Insurance

What trip price does not include:

      International flight to/from Torino
      Beverages at dinner
      Souvenirs and items of a personal nature
      Optional activities during free time
      Trip cancellation insurance
      Housekeeping tips, room service charges etc.
      Transfer between Torino airport and Torino airport hotel on departure day for flights
       home to USA
      Rental of any equipment

Please be aware that, in accordance with AMC policy, you are subsidizing the leaders' costs.
Beyond this, the leaders are not allowed to realize any profit from this excursion. The trip price
also includes an AMC overhead fee to cover the administrative expenses of offering Adventure
Travel excursions. The trip fee includes emergency medical and evacuation insurance coverage,
which is required by the AMC. It does not include insurance for travel delay, interruption, trip
cancellation, or loss of baggage. If these possibilities concern you, individual travel insurance is
recommended. More information about included emergency medical and evacuation
insurance, as well as about optional and recommended travel insurance, will be provided to
participants in their formal acceptance letters.

Cancellation Policy:

The AMC Adventure Travel cancellation policy is based on the premise that your cancellation
may not raise the cost to other participants or the leaders. Once you are notified the trip is
declared to run as scheduled, the minimum cancellation fee is $100. If actual costs (expenses
already incurred on your behalf and any unavoidable future expenses that will be incurred as a
result of your registration and cancellation) are higher, they will be assessed instead. Should the
leaders be able to replace you with another acceptable participant, you may be charged a
reduced penalty. This will generally not be determined until after the trip. Failure to make trip
payment(s) in a timely manner will be considered a cancellation.
Before Sept 1, 2021, the minimum cancellation fee is $100.
Sept 1, 2021 and onwards, the minimum cancellation fee is $250
On rare occasions AMC Adventure Travel may need to cancel all or a portion of a trip due to
force majeure [e.g. terrorism, local health conditions, natural disaster, changes in local
regulatory environment, etc.] In the event of such a cancellation, your trip fee will be refunded
less any trip expenses already incurred plus any non-cancellable future trip expenditures. AMC

Adventure Travel is not responsible for additional expenses incurred by you in preparing for the
trip (including non-refundable air tickets, visa fees, gear or medical expenses, etc.

How air travel is to be handled:

While participant airfare is not included in the trip price, leaders may assist participants in
making suitable reservations. Participants will be told when and where they must join the
group for the official start of the trip’s planned activities. Once your air tickets are purchased
they are your responsibility – do not make any non-refundable travel plans until told to do so
by the leaders. The leaders will send out a document with a list of suggested flight from your
home airport which will work to get you to Torino in time for the start of the trip.

The price for this excursion is based on quotes or estimates obtained at the time the trip was
submitted to the Adventure Travel Committee for approval (July 2020). The final price of the
trip will be adjusted in accordance with the best final arrangements we can make. If the trip’s
financial position is strong enough at the start, the leaders may make partial refunds during the
trip, in the form of payments toward some meals and/or free time activities which would
otherwise not be included. Any savings we achieve, as well as any cost increases we incur, will
be shared by trip participants. Our cost estimates are conservative, and so a refund is
considerably more likely than a price increase. All Adventure Travel trips are run on a non-
profit basis and refunds, if any, are issued after the trip’s financial accounting is complete.

Conditioning and activity/fitness level:

Participants who choose to hike, should be comfortable hiking up to 4 to 7 hours and 12 miles
per day with elevation gain of up to 3400 feet. Participants should have recent previous
experience hiking on rolling/hilly/rocky/mountainous terrain. However, participants should feel
free to take “a day off from hiking” on any given day except for the transfer days when we
move to a different hotel.

Application process or how to apply:

To apply, you must complete and submit the Participant Application, Confidential Health
Questionnaire, and Acknowledgement and Assumption of Risk and Release form, enclosing a
registration deposit of $1000. You will be considered qualified for the trip when the leaders
have determined by conversation with you that you and the trip seem to be a good match. You
will be formally accepted, and your check will be deposited.
Deposit checks from wait-listed applicants will not be cashed until we offer them a spot on the
trip AND they accept.

Payment Schedule:

Final Payment due no later than March 15, 2022

Please make payments by check payable to the “Appalachian Mountain Club” and mail to:
Ginette Beaudoin
66 Graham Street
Biddeford, ME
04005

Safety:

As participant safety is a high priority for all AMC-sponsored events, procedures and policies
have been developed to attempt to limit participant risk. Participants are expected to work
with volunteer leaders to reduce risks and make the experience successful for all. Participants
should be aware that there are risks associated with outdoor adventure activities, including but
not limited to adverse weather and environmental conditions, remote locations of our trips and
camps, and transportation in vehicles, on foot, or on a bike. When you apply for acceptance
onto a trip, please carefully read and sign the Adventure Travel Acknowledgement and
Assumption of Risks and Release and Indemnity Agreement and call if you have any questions.

Risks of trip activities:

Participants should be adequately prepared for cold and hot weather hazards such as wind chill,
hypothermia, dehydration, rain, sun exposure and insect bites by ensuring they have sun
protection, personal first aid kit, insect repellant and extra layers in their day pack during each
day’s activities.
.

YOUR VOLUNTEER LEADERS:

LEADER: GINETTE BEAUDOIN

Ginette has been a member of the AMC since 1988 and has led several day and weekend trips in the
White Mountains of NH, as well as various parts of Maine. She has led several Austrian Alps adventure
trips through the years for both hiking and cross country skiing. She has also led Adventure travel trips
to Yosemite, Bryce and Zion National Parks, Easter Island, Peru, Minnesota, Tuscany, Dolomites, Spain,
France, Patagonia, Bolivia, Azores Islands, Australia and New Zealand for the AMC. She has hiked to over
30 high Alpine Huts throughout Austria, Germany, France and Switzerland and has hiked the NH 4000
footers. Her interests include hiking, photography, cross-country hiking, snowshoeing, travel, and
introducing others to adventure travel.

ADDRESS:            66 Graham Street, Biddeford, Maine 04005
PHONE:               (207) 590-4431
EMAIL ADDRESS:      ginette4000@yahoo.com

CO-LEADER: ANNA PANSZCZYK

Anna is a Boston Chapter INTRO (AMC) Leader. Anna has co led AMC Adventure Travel trips to New
Zealand, Australia, Dolomites – Italy, Austria, Azores, Yosemite National Park, Minnesota, Peru, Easter
Island, Australia, New Zealand, and Morocco. Anna leads hiking trips in the White Mountains and most
recently led an excursion to Waterville Valley and Craftsbury Vermont for snowshoeing and cross
country hiking. She has also co led the Claybrook ski trip on previous years. During the summer of 2014,
she and the trip leader backpacked the Haute Route from Chamonix France to Zermatt Switzerland as
well as Kepler Track in New Zealand. This is in addition to trips that she takes to all corners of the world!
Anna has completed SOLO Advanced Wilderness First Aid course as well as CPR training.

ADDRESS:     22 Alfred Rd, Arlington, MA 02474
PHONE:   781-648-2492;
EMAIL: annatp12@gmail.com

Gear/Packing list:

You will be required to provide your own daypack, weather proof outerwear, hiking poles, as well as
broken in hiking boots

Clothing:

Polypro tops (long and short sleeve) and bottoms NO COTTON for hiking!
Fleece top
Soft Shell or similar jacket and pants
Raingear, top and bottom, Gore Tex or similar; not vinyl
Wool or fleece hat
Waterproof mittens/gloves
Sock liners
Hand warmers
Slippers
Casual wear for lodge and sleeping
Wool socks and footwear appropriate for Apres hiking

Gear:

Hiking poles and good hiking boots
Sun Screen, sun glasses, wide brimmed sun hat
Gaiters, warm hat or headband
Daypack, water bottles, thermos
Camera with extra battery and memory card
Headlamp and extra batteries

Personal:
Prescription and OTC personal medications
Personal first Aid kit
Contact lens supplies
Toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, conditioner, etc
Plastic bags, thick ones and large enough to keep things dry inside your daypack
Alarm clock or just use the one on your smart phone