Escalade – Site du lac Besson

TECHNICAL INFORMATIONS :
Difficulty, rating: 3 > 7a
Departure altitude: 2 m
Number of routes: 142
Max height: 120 m
Nature of the rock: gneiss
Exposure: west
Approach time: 20 to 30 min

TOPO-GUIDES, MAPS:
IGN top 25, 3335 ET Alpe d'Huez
Topo climbing in Isère, Ze topo volume 2, FFME

This long bar alternates between multi-pitch routes, shorter, sportier routes and children's areas. Overall, these are fairly steep slabs and walls with clear holds. Appropriate skills and equipment (wearing a helmet is recommended as rock falls are common).
A detailed document on the sites is available for consultation at Alpe d'Huez Tourisme.

It is your responsibility to estimate your ability to practice climbing. Respect the safety rules. Check your hardware.
In view of its environmental capabilities (altitude, location, weather conditions), the Alpe d'Huez site can be classified as MOUNTAIN terrain, which requires the user to have skills, precautions and appropriate equipment.
– Helmet Essential: winter is harsh and despite the purges of the opening, stones may have become unsealed by the action of frost.
– Check the weather forecast… Because storms can be very violent here.
– Monitor the equipment: modern routes are equipped with stainless steel bolts (10 or 12 mm) or sealed rings, the relays for rappels or top ropes are chained. All the pitons, bolts of 8, relays with straps located in the cliff, correspond to icefall anchors or old routes not re-equipped. Their solidity is highly questionable!
> Equipment: 100 m rappel rope for the big routes, 80 m attachment for the longest pitches. 16 quickdraws (without the belays) allow you to do most of the routes, no need for nuts for climbers at the level of the route.