Brèche de la Seille Vieille

Brèche de la Seille Vieille is a mountain pass in the Écrins at 3,352 meters elevation, marked by steep rock walls and glacial formations at its base. The pass connects two valleys and provides a technically demanding route for experienced mountaineers.

The pass served as a trading route between valleys in the 19th century, enabling local communities to exchange goods across different regions. Its strategic importance for commerce shaped the economic development of surrounding valleys over generations.

Local mountaineers maintain records of successful ascents to this summit, documenting weather conditions and seasonal changes throughout the years.

Climbing requires advanced technical skills and appropriate equipment carefully chosen for alpine conditions. The best period for expeditions is between June and September when conditions are most favorable.

The north face displays a distinctive pattern of rock layers revealing geological movements spanning millions of years, making it valuable to geologists. This visible window into Earth's history makes the pass a remarkable subject for alpine geology research.