29-Aug-2010
Posted by : Vixie
Category : Alpe d'Huez, Hiking, Les 2 Alpes, Other Villages, Uncategorised
Tags: Alpe d'Huez, Besse, Briançon, Clavans, Girose Glacier, La Grave, La Meije, Les 2 Alpes, Mizoen, Muzelle, Pic Blanc, Plateau d'Emparis, Plateau de Paris, Venosc
The tourist season may officially be over but for hikers, this is when the real fun begins. It’s simply too hot to do much hiking here in the summer months, especially in July and early August when temperatures regularly top 30ºC. But as September approaches the cooler weather makes hiking far more pleasant. An added bonus is the quieter paths and roads as the majority of holidaymakers return home.
Yesterday we set-off for the Plateau d’Emparis, which is sometimes referred to as the Plateau de Paris on maps and signposts. It’s huge, shallow basin at around 2300m brings you face to face with La Meije and the Girose Glacier of La Grave, and gives stunning views of the local peaks of the Muzelle and Venosc, which tower above Les 2 Alpes, and Pic Blanc, the highest peak of Alpe d’Huez.
09-Aug-2010
Posted by : Vixie
Today we hit the road from Les 2 Alpes to Briançon, stopping at the Col du Lautaret and Col du Galibier. As the road rises the forest fall away and by the time you reach the first col the meadows around you are green but sparse. The narrow road that’s only just wide enough for two cars snakes a further 600m in altitude with a tiny car park marking the highest point. From here you can climb a loose path to a viewing platform and look down into the Savoie region of the Northern Alps and across their peaks to Mont Blanc.
31-Jul-2010
Posted by : Vixie
Climbing is a new sport for me and one I’d love to do more. It’s challenging, both physically and mentally, and a great group activity. The Boyfriend has loads of experience so we joined some of his mates today for a group climb outside Monetiers.
Monetiers isn’t in the Oisans region, but it’s less than an hour from Les 2 Alpes and the site at Rocher Maubert as climbs ranging from 4b to 6a. The drive was stunning, as we climbed up the winding road through a widening gorge to the wide valley floor of the Col du Lautaret (2085m). The road passes through the freeride haven of La Grave and continues on to Serre Chevalier and Briançon eventually reaching the Italian boarder.
