Barre des Écrins

The Barre des Écrins (4,102 m) is a mountain in the French Alps, the highest point of the Massif des Écrins, and the most southerly alpine peak in Europe that is higher than 4,000 metres. The Barre des Écrins overlooks the divide between the valleys of the rivers Durance and Isère. This divide passes 250 metres west of the summit, along the ridge that leads to the summit of the neighbouring Dôme des Écrins (4,015 m). The south face of the Barre i... more

The Barre des Écrins (4,102 m) is a mountain in the French Alps, the highest point of the Massif des Écrins, and the most southerly alpine peak in Europe that is higher than 4,000 metres. The Barre des Écrins overlooks the divide between the valleys of the rivers Durance and Isère. This divide passes 250 metres west of the summit, along the ridge that leads to the summit of the neighbouring Dôme des Écrins (4,015 m). The south face of the Barre is rocky, while its north face is glaciated, being the source of the Glacier Blanc. The mountain was first climbed on 25 June 1864 by A. W. Moore, Horace Walker and Edward Whymper with the guides Michel Croz, Christian Almer the elder, and Christian Almer the younger. It is traditionally scaled from the Pré de Madame Carle, in the valley of Ailefroide. The normal route climbs the entire length of the Glacier Blanc. This is a much-used route, because it is the usual way to the Dôme des Écrins, one of the most easily climbed mountains over 4,000... less