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- Barre des Écrins
13,458 ft · Pelvoux, France
Barre des Écrins
Barre des Écrins is a 13,458 ft peak in the Pelvoux, France. The standard route is the Normal Route via West Ridge: 12 mi, 7,310 ft of gain, AD-.
Barre des Écrins at a glance
- Elevation13,458 ft4,101 m
- RouteNormal Route via West RidgeAD-
- Distance12 mi7,310 ft gain
- Time2–3 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJul–Sep
- RangePelvouxFrance
Climbing the Normal Route via West Ridge
From Ailefroide or Pelvoux in the Dauphine, France, approach the Refuge des Ecrins, then summit the southernmost 4,000er in the Alps, which gives it a wilder, more remote feel than the Valais or Mont Blanc peaks. The West Ridge normal route (AD-) crosses the heavily crevassed Glacier Blanc to the Breche Lory beneath the Dome de Neige, then finishes with climbing to UIAA III. It is a relatively amenable normal route on an otherwise formidable massif, but not to be underestimated, so rope up and watch rockfall. Budget 2 to 3 days for the outing.
Gear and hazards
What to bring
Backpack (40–55 L)
Mountaineering Boots
Crampons
Ice Axe
Helmet
Harness
Rope
Carabiners
Belay Device- Prusik Cord
- Ice Screw
Base Layer
Midlayer
Insulated Jacket
Hardshell Jacket
Hardshell Pants
Warm Hat
Buff
Midweight Gloves
Glacier Glasses
Sunscreen
Headlamp
GPS Device
Satellite Communicator
Water
First-Aid Kit
Emergency Bivy
Heavyweight Gloves
Goggles
Offline Maps
Power Bank
Whistle
Approach Shoes- Slings
- Nut Tool
- Cams / Nuts
What to watch for
- Technical climbing
- Steep exposure
- Rockfall
- Loose rock
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- Snow near summit
- Ice near summit
- High altitude
- Altitude sickness
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
Quests with Barre des Écrins
Alpine 4,000ersPeaks near Barre des Écrins
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Barre des Écrins?
Barre des Écrins is 13,458 feet (4,101 m) tall. It is in the Pelvoux, France.
How does Barre des Écrins rank among the Alpine 4,000ers?
At 13,458 feet, Barre des Écrins is the 52nd highest of the 82 Alpine 4,000ers. The highest is Mont Blanc.
How hard is it to climb Barre des Écrins?
The Normal Route via West Ridge is graded AD- on the alpine scale, meaning fairly difficult: sustained snow, ice or rock that needs real climbing skills. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 12 miles with 7,310 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Barre des Écrins?
Most climbers plan 2–3 days for the Normal Route via West Ridge, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Barre des Écrins dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: crevasses on the glacier, exposed sections where a fall would be serious and rockfall from loose rock. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Barre des Écrins?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Normal Route via West Ridge for the snow and ice on the upper mountain, along with mountaineering boots that take crampons. Glacier travel also means a rope, harness and crevasse rescue skills. Conditions vary through the season, so check recent reports before you go.
Do you need to acclimatize to climb Barre des Écrins?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Barre des Écrins reaches 13,458 feet. Spend a night or two at elevation first, drink plenty of water and turn back if a headache, nausea or dizziness gets worse.
When is the best time to climb Barre des Écrins?
The usual climbing window is July to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Barre des Écrins with Yak
Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list