three 1/2 days staying at la grave, bucket list...

three 1/2 days staying at la grave, bucket list...

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Discussion

craigthecoupe

Original Poster:

685 posts

203 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
quotequote all
some friends and i are heading to the alps in june. none of us have ever been to that area before, so as a trade off of classic climbs, and must see areas, where is our time best spent? i'd like to do huez for obvious reasons, and also perhaps lautaret and galibier, i've also seen videos of the balcony road off of alp d'huez, which looks amazing. can anyone help with any climbs that are a must do/not worth the effort, and anything else worth experiencing whilst there?
cheers
craig

richardxjr

7,561 posts

209 months

Sunday 19th April 2015
quotequote all
It's all great really. Except the main road schlep back up to La Grave from Bourg D'Oisans.

The full Marmotte course above is a tough day out but you could leave the AdH climb (do that on the half day perhaps, taking in the remote Col de Sarenne with it's great descent after) then it would be a great circular for you with lunch at Valoire.

Or you could split it up, you could do Lauteret & Galibier, poss Telegraphe, both ways easily enough from La Grave, again with lunch at Valoire. If you've got transport, drive to Allemond, do Glandon & Croix de Fer and back, that's a nice half day.

But, defo do the balcony road via Vilard Reculas and Huez Village,

Prepare for all weather eventualities, you'll likely get 4 seasons each day. Plan lunch, there are not many options outside towns and you will need and want to stop for a good nosebag.




tobinen

9,184 posts

144 months

Monday 20th April 2015
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Some good videos here on the classic climbs: http://thecolcollective.com/


craigthecoupe

Original Poster:

685 posts

203 months

Monday 20th April 2015
quotequote all
thanks guys, some really helpful stuff esp richardxjr. with regard to kit, i was going to take summer kit, and waterproof, arm warmers, overshoes (i always get cold feet) anything else?

richardxjr

7,561 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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Take all the clothing you own! And a means of carrying some of it each day + food, tubes etc. Fresh shorts daily of course. Suncream, bumcream and sudocrem.

Seriously, you can be slaving away for 2hrs at 30degs++, then descending for 20mins in rain in what feels like minus 20. Do not underestimate the weather. Although it's a fairly busy area, it's still high up in proper mountains.

Check the cols are open before you head off for them too wink Galibier's often still closed well into June.

Enjoy it smile Gutted not to be going myself this year.


paulmon

2,127 posts

240 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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The Izoard (from the north, Briancon) is one of the most spectacular climbs in the area and well worthy of a visit. The Telegraph and Galibier again from the north are also pretty special. If you are doing the Telegraph and Galibier together then pack a waterproof, arm warmers, leg warmers as it can be scorching at the Telegraph but wet and freezing cold at Galibier. Huez is worth doing simply to tick the box but I found it fairly underwhelming.

richardxjr

7,561 posts

209 months

Tuesday 21st April 2015
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Make sure this map is in your collection too
http://www.abebooks.co.uk/9782841823185/Belledonne...


richardxjr

7,561 posts

209 months

Tuesday 9th June 2015
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Assume you've not gone yet but the main road D1091 Bourg d'Oisans to La Grave is closed until 10th July at the earliest. The Marmotte circular sportive is being re-routed because of this.

Hope you've got time to plan around this.