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- Dôme de Neige
13,173 ft · Pelvoux, France
Dôme de Neige
Dôme de Neige is a 13,173 ft peak in the Pelvoux, France. The standard route is the Normal Route via Glacier Blanc: 11 mi, 6,890 ft of gain, PD.
Dôme de Neige at a glance
- Elevation13,173 ft4,015 m
- RouteNormal Route via Glacier BlancPD
- Distance11 mi6,890 ft gain
- Time2 daysVery Hard effort
- SeasonJun–Sep
- RangePelvouxFrance
Climbing the Normal Route via Glacier Blanc
From Ailefroide or Pelvoux in the Dauphine, France, approach the Refuge des Ecrins, then climb the Dome de Neige, the snow dome on the north-west side of the Barre des Ecrins. The Normal Route via the Glacier Blanc (PD) is a far gentler objective than the Barre itself, with no technical climbing, so it is the standard consolation and acclimatisation summit for parties on the Barre and a fine 4,000er in its own right. It is frequently the turnaround point when the Barre's west ridge is out of condition. Rope up for the crevassed glacier. Budget two days.
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
What to watch for
- Glacier travel
- Crevasses
- High altitude
- Altitude sickness
- Cornices
- Steep exposure
- Extreme cold
- High winds
- Storms
- Low visibility
- Rapid weather shifts
Quests with Dôme de Neige
Alpine 4,000ersPeaks near Dôme de Neige
Frequently asked questions
How tall is Dôme de Neige?
Dôme de Neige is 13,173 feet (4,015 m) tall. It is in the Pelvoux, France. It is also known as Dôme de Neige des Écrins, Dome de Neige des Ecrins.
How does Dôme de Neige rank among the Alpine 4,000ers?
At 13,173 feet, Dôme de Neige is the 76th highest of the 82 Alpine 4,000ers. The highest is Mont Blanc.
How hard is it to climb Dôme de Neige?
The Normal Route via Glacier Blanc is graded PD on the alpine scale, meaning slightly difficult: some scrambling, steeper snow or simple glacier travel. Yak rates the overall effort very hard: 11 miles with 6,890 feet of elevation gain.
How many days does it take to climb Dôme de Neige?
Most climbers plan 2 days for the Normal Route via Glacier Blanc, with at least one night on the mountain.
Is Dôme de Neige dangerous to climb?
It has real risks: avalanche and icefall danger, crevasses on the glacier and exposed sections where a fall would be serious. Teams rope up for glacier travel, and many first-timers climb with a guide.
Do you need crampons and an ice axe for Dôme de Neige?
Plan on it. Crampons and an ice axe are on the gear list for the Normal Route via Glacier Blanc 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 Dôme de Neige?
Most people feel the altitude above 8,000 feet, and Dôme de Neige reaches 13,173 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 Dôme de Neige?
The usual climbing window is June to September. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.
Climb Dôme de Neige 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