Ice climbing in Hautes Alpes

Snow gulley in Eastern Pyrenees

Ice climb

Since the early nineties, ice climbing on frozen waterfalls has become more and more of a winter sport in its own right for climbers and mountaineers.
As soon as temperatures plunge below zero, ice-axes and crampons are sharpened in anticipation.
Freezing water cascades under the ice falls creating curtains of draped ice to create formations such as stalactites or cigare-like tubes, that can be climbed using the ice-axe and crampon technique.

Gavarnie in the Haute Pyrenees, due to its height and number of waterfalls, is one of the best ice climbing sites in the world. The icefalls are usually in best condition around February.

Winter gulley climbs in the Pyrenees Orientales

The winter snow brings with it a high montain feeling to the Pyrenees. The gulleys that form in the eastern part of the Pyrenees chain are excellent for mountaineering.
It's similar to climbing in the scottish highlands but with extra sunshine!

Icefall and winter gulley climbing are two of my favourite occupations and I monitor the ice conditions to select gulleys to climb in the Alps and the Pyrenees for my training courses.

e-mail
International mountain guide Paul Cieslar, mountain leader Sarah Ginty
0033 (0)4 68 29 45 07 - 0033 (0)6 84 04 59 82 contact guide Vingrau F- 66600
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