Читать книгу 100 Hut Walks in the Alps - Kev Reynolds - Страница 22

WALK 10

Refuge du Glacier Blanc (2550m: 8366ft)

Start	Pré de Madame Carle (1874m: 6148ft)
Valley base	Ailefroide
Distance	4km (2½ miles) to the hut
Total ascent	676m (2218ft)
Time	2hrs up, 1–1½hrs down
Map	Rando Éditions Carte de Randonnées ‘Écrins’ 1:50,000

Some of the finest high mountain views in the eastern Écrins are revealed on the walk to, and from, this hut. Located above the east bank of the glacier which flows from the Barre des Écrins, Refuge du Glacier Blanc looks south to Mont Pelvoux, from whose north flank flows the Glacier Noir – named for the discoloration of the ice by its surface rubble. Not surprisingly the hut is much in demand by climbers tackling an assortment of major peaks, as well as by day visitors who make the strenuous approach in order to experience the majesty of its surroundings.

Pré de Madame Carle is the name given to a broad open meadow at the head of the Vallouise about 5km upstream from the climbing centre of Ailefroide. There’s a Chalet-Refuge, information building and a huge parking area served by bus from Vallouise resort. From the car park the path used on this walk can be seen climbing in switchbacks up the hillside ahead, just left of prominent glacial slabs. It begins to the right of the Chalet-Refuge and at first leads through spacious larchwoods, then across a more open glacial plain to a bridge over a stream coming from the Glacier Noir (Black Glacier) whose moraines are seen pushing valleyward sfrom the left-hand glen. The path soon slants left and rises towards Glacier Noir, but in 30mins it divides (signpost). Turn right and climb in numerous zigzags, rising above the slabs which appeared from below to be supporting the Glacier Blanc (White Glacier).

In a little over an hour from the car park the gradient slackens among whale-back slabs with the glacier now seen head-on, streams pouring from its snout. The refuge can be seen to the north, about 250m above, on a rocky knoll to the right of the glacier. Cross below the icefall and use a footbridge over the torrent, then bear left towards the Glacier Blanc. Waymarks soon direct the path to the right, rising in tight zigzags up a series of grit-covered ledges and minor gullies. Eventually gain an upper terrace where you head almost due north, and pass a spur path cutting right to the former Refuge Tuckett (named after pioneer F.F. Tuckett), now used as a small museum of sorts. The main path continues between pools, then climbs up the left-hand side of the knoll on which the hut is set (brief scrambling involved), before cutting back to the hut itself.

Refuge du Glacier Blanc

Refuge du Glacier Blanc is a substantial stone-built hut, CAF owned and with 135 places. It is manned throughout the summer season when a full meals service is available (Tel: 04 92 23 50 24, email: caf.briancon@wanadoo.fr). Booking is essential to ensure a bed. From the hut Mont Pelvoux, Pic Sans Nom, l’Ailefroide and Barre des Écrins can all be seen, while Montagne des Agneaux towers over it from the northeast.

The return to Pré de Madame Carle is of necessity by the same route.