Pic de la Grave, Alpine summit in Ecrins National Park, France.
Pic de la Grave is an Alpine summit in the French Alps standing at 3,628 meters. Its north face dominates the Girose glacier, creating a striking backdrop in this section of the high mountains.
The peak was first documented ascended in 1864 by alpinist Edward Whymper and his team. This achievement marked a turning point in Alpine mountaineering and shaped early climbing history in the region.
The mountain serves as a training ground for climbers developing winter alpinism skills, with local guides passing down traditional climbing techniques.
The route to the summit begins from Col des Ruillans at 3,200 meters, accessible by cable car from La Grave-la Meije. Climbers need crampons and ice axes since the terrain is iced and technically demanding.
The climb involves crossing a bergschrund, a crevasse-like gap between glacier and rock. From there, the view stretches across surrounding peaks all the way to Mont Blanc and Barre des Ecrins.
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