Dôme de Neige des Écrins
An ascent of the Dôme de Neige des Écrins in perfect conditions!
With Sylvie, Patrick & Christian.
I meet my three companions at the Pré de Madame Carle for a leisurely climb to the Ecrins hut. The weather is splendid; the small disturbance of the day before has left the air with an almost autumnal clarity.
Christian has just come back from a solo tour of the Oisans, and Sylvie and Patrick have acclimatised on the Tête Sud du Replat. After a rest day, everyone is in great shape to attempt the Dôme de Neige des Ecrins!
We start walking early in the morning, which leaves us plenty of time to take in the views on this panoramic path.
After a pleasant picnic, we gear up to step onto the Glacier Blanc. The snow cover, exceptional this year, makes progress easier, but some big crevasses still cut across the track.
Arriving at the hut in mid-afternoon, the TV schedule is set: Her Majesty the Barre des Ecrins draws every eye, and the audience never tires of it.
The hut gradually fills up and ends up full! The vast majority of climbers are heading for the Dôme or the Barre, but the atmosphere is good and the warden has everything under control. A short briefing for the next day, especially on how to organise the morning so as not to trip over each other, and everyone to bed.
Up at 3:20am. After a quick breakfast we get ready; the descent onto the Glacier Blanc from the hut is a festival of headlamps.
Everyone gears up and we finally settle into our cruising rhythm on the glacier. The crowd spreads out and at last we are on our own, phew!
The classic track cuts across the debris of the first serac fall, and it is better to skirt the central eye of the Dôme so as not to expose yourself unnecessarily.
We are making very good progress, conditions are excellent and morale is sky-high. Lulled by the steady rhythm of our progress, we are suddenly caught by the warmth of the first rays. A magical moment in a thousand colours, jewels of the high mountains.
A few minutes later, we reach the summit and everything comes together to make this moment exceptional!
We go down sometimes cutting straight down the slope, which is more comfortable and avoids crossing the other rope teams coming up.
There is only the endless descent of the glacier left before enjoying a slice of blueberry tart with a good beer at the Glacier Blanc hut.
A solid, motivated and friendly team. A big thank you to you and see you next time!
Photo gallery...