With Alice, Florian, Lise, Yauric and Denis, we spend four days getting to grips with mountaineering in the Écrins, finishing with sunrise on Roche Faurio.
No time to unpack my bag—I’m heading out right away with Alice, Florian, Lise, Yauric, and Denis, a group of friends who’ve come to learn mountaineering during a 4-day course. I’m the odd one out in the group, but they quickly took me in! Who knows, maybe I can be of some use… We start with the classic but essential ice climbing training, where everyone quickly excels!
Everyone's ready for the entrance exam. No cheating, of course!
The first goal of the trip: to take a nap at the Col de Monetier... The famous, dangerous, and incredible Vira del Monetier pass!
At the pass, with the weather being iffy...
Some people quickly understand the appeal of mountaineering...
We're hitting the road again...
Before the "Seal on the Ice" session (not "Fuck Off the Banker")...
Now that we've mastered the basics, we'll let go of the handbrake to tackle the big snowfields
Day two, the weather remains spectacularly beautiful. I have no choice—I have to go... Mountaineering is nothing but suffering... There's no pleasure in it at all.
The perfect mountaineer's outfit: a thick down jacket, a mountain hat, and chiseled features...
The training camp ended on a high note at La Roche Faurio, where we had to endure a grueling sunrise... More tough moments...
Alice and Florian are up for a little ridge hike—let's go while the others are taking a nap...
Finally, the moment of relief arrives; we leave the high mountains behind to rediscover life’s true pleasures... There’s really nothing to be gained from these high places. Nothing!
Practical Info / Route Topo
Day 1 — Ice skills and Col du Monêtier
- First exercises on the ice, the Monêtier ledge, a nap at the col and some sliding down the snowfields.
Day 2 — Pic d’Arsine
- The fine weather holds for Pic d’Arsine and the ridge climbing shown in the photos.
End of the course — Roche Faurio
- Sunrise on Roche Faurio. Alice and Florian carry on along the ridge while the others polish their napping technique.
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