Adèle Planchard Refuge

Description

Long and difficult, the ascent up to the refuge passes in the green prairies of the Plan de l'Alpe with mineral sheets draping down from the high summits sheltering the source at Romanche. "Maintaining pedestrian access to the steep glacial slopes of the Grande Ruine is a challenge that the park rangers and those working in the park must take on every Spring. The itinerary for access to Adèle Planchard requires a day of work to clear away the stones which clutter the pathways and to maintain the cables in place on the steepest parts of the track. Circulation on the track must be cut off for 1 to 2 h that day, which sometimes upsets hikers and mountaineers who are impatient to finish their outing!" Cyril Coursier, Heritage Technician in the National Park From Gravière car park, follow the bottom of the valley on the right bank on an excellent track which crosses the Pas d'Anna Falque. The fork that divides the way between the refuges at Adèle Planchard is well indicated... Turn right and take the long path crossing the Plan de l'Alpe. A long flat section on the right bank in the bottom of the valley followed by a short steep path on the left bank takes you to a grass plain... A crossing of about 1 kilometer prepares you for the onerous ascent across rocky ledges which are sometimes equipped with cables... Fill up with water, there is none higher up. At the foot of the ultimate projection is an immense scree that you must ascend without getting lost. At last, Adèle Planchard refuge appears on the ridge protected from avalanches dominating this mineral space. Return following the same itinerary.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Getting there

Start: Parking de la micro centrale du plan de l'Alpe, Villar-d'Arêne (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/903293-Le-refuge-Adele-Planchard). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 1,526 m, Parc national des Écrins