The white glacier at the top of the beautiful Vallouise Pelvoux valley attracts many holidaymakers throughout the year. We offer you some images of the glacier, including a 360 ° virtual tour from Madame Carle meadow to the foot of the glacier, but also an interactive 360 ° video and of course plenty of photos.
The retreat of the Blanc glacier
Global warming marks its footprint here. Some climate-skeptics explain that the glacier retreats because of a hypothetical drop in precipitation, others argue that in the Middle Ages, as evidenced by a model visible in the small chalet Park, it was possible to access at the top without stepping on the snow during the period of the climatic optimum.Always is that the glacier retreats at a speed that seems to accelerate. We remember in our childhood ladders to reach the Tuckett Shelter Plateau. Note that a small part of these scales is in front of the mountain house in Ailefroide today.
Possibilities of high mountain or simple walk
Some aim for the Dome of the Ecrins and its more than 4000 meters of altitude or even the bar with 4102 meters while the others are satisfied to go to see the foot of the glacier. This is one of the busiest walks in the Hautes-Alpes. So much so that a toll was put in place a few years ago in order to be able to finance the costs inherent to the summer overcrowding. This was not done without a hitch; the sentry box caught fire rather quickly despite the small amount of the fee.
Coming to the meadow of Mrs. Carle already requires to travel the few kilometers of a small winding road from the bottom of the valley to Pelvoux (10km). The road closes the winter at the hydroelectric plant of Claux because of the snow and the risk of avalanches.
360° video
To enjoy the 360 ° feature, either use a recent computer or use most mobile phones or tablets using the YouTube app. It is then possible to move 360º in the video using your mouse or your fingers. Do not hesitate to choose in the YouTube settings the maxi definition especially if your internet connection is good.
Four shelters in the white glacier area
The small refuge, unguarded, Cézanne in the meadow of Madame Carle is located at 1860 meters above sea level, it allows to sleep in the shelter and dry all year. A small antenna of the Ecrins National Park offers, in summer, some information and maps to consult. The cabin refuge Pré de Madame Carle offers you to eat or drink in the summer. Approximately 600 meters of vertical drop separates you from the foot of the glacier, count an hour and a half to two hours of walk to approach the glacier which moves away year after year from the path that leads to the refuge of the white glacier (alt 2500m). The Ecrins refuge located at 3172 meters above sea level requires skills and equipment or the accompaniment of a mountain guide to extend why not to the top of the Bar at 4102 meters above sea level.
Virtual tour
To enjoy the 360 ° feature, either use a recent computer or use most mobile phones or tablets using the YouTube app. It is then possible to move 360º in the video using your mouse or your fingers. Do not hesitate to choose in the YouTube settings maxi definition especially if your internet connection is good.
