Internship Trail Oisans-Ecrins Day 1

I just returned from internship Trail Oisans-Ecrins organized by the association "Runners without Borders" (more info here ):
We split despite winter weather. Here is a report in 4 steps because there are good things to say!

Day 1 - Bourg d'Oisans / Villard Reymond

• Date: Thursday, June 17, 2010
• Distance: about 30km
• Elevation: 2200mD + and 1300D-
• Start Location: La Palud (Ornon - 1008m)
• Point: Villard-Reymond (1630m)
• Climax: Refuge Taillefer (2056m)

The point of appointment of the first day is at Bourg d'Oisans at Jean Marc, our guide (more on the beast => http://ethiqaventure.blogspot.com/ ).

We met the group of 5 riders: Pierre-Yves (Clermont Ferrand), Raphael and Sylvain (Marne), Christopher (Côte St André) and me.

JM makes us a little history of the course and spirit Trail "Riders Without Borders"

Now, We've got the power!

A minibus takes us one step above the Palud (common Ornon). Needless to grill in rallongant stage 7km by road from Bourg ... the trail that the trail please!

We start around 10am from the Palud towards the refuge of Taillefer (2056m) and Fourchu Lake (2050m), the first stop of the day.

We pass through several hamlets in the beautiful town of Ornon but in the fog and light rain. Relativize: it rained afloat Tuesday and Wednesday, a few droplets will not discourage traileur ...

JM decided to shut down the steep Dre (right = the slope for runners plain) towards the refuge of Taillefer. First hot flash!

Raph, Sylvain and Pierre-Yves in the slope!

-

Christophe and Pierre-Yves temperature's rising!

-

Jean-Marc is the point halfway: it's going guys?

-

The first "management by walking around" finally passes not too bad, especially since we announced a break JM organic tea in refuge! The large class, we run 15km \ h to get a drink of hot water (ok 12km \ h, 10? 8 ... a good 6km \ hr what).

The Refuge Taillefer (2056m)

-

Tea served by Amelia and Michael is perfect! I suggest you visit the website returns the couple and their little girl of 2 years => http://www.refuge-taillefer.fr/

There are many pictures of their installation, the refuge of life, landscapes ...

http://www.refuge-taillefer.fr

-

The pause is short, we leave the shelter warmed ready to run around the lake Fourchu!

The refuge of Taillefer's it!

-

We will make treat for the eyes on this tray full of water, Lake Fourchu is packed, the snow is on the edge ... it's the Pampas!

Jean-Marc accelerates Lake Fourchu

-

Fourchu Lake (2050m)

-

Now it's catch, everyone can let go into the technical descent that follows and which brings about the hamlets of Ornon:

Raphael, into the wild!

-

The lunch break is in the downhill quickly because the rain will resume as we enter our sandwiches! Glop, just time to swallow some pasta, at least I would not have digestive problems!

We descend into jogging on the Pouthuire of Ornon (1058m) towards the small resort of Col d'Ornon (1328m).

Now is the ski slope "Le Schuss" that we go back.

Jean-Marc is proposing to go at their own pace and this is how I loose horses to block up the hill towards the Col de Corbiere (1926m).

Col de Corbiere from Col d'Ornon

-

This part of the course is enjoyable to hike. Jean-Marc has proposed one-step "Genepi" on July 7th at the Croc Oisans (hiking trips / cultural). The opportunity for registrants to know all of the culture of Génépi

Croq'Oisans 2010

-

Now it's raining badly I soon top of the Col to switch to the village of Villard Reymond in about 30 minutes.

We cross a beautiful firn and Villard Reymond is: We conducted approximately 30km and 2200m + D 1300D-stage with a treat as the end point the highest village in the Oisans, Villard Reymond at 1630m.

I started in on the last climb but for fun, there is still juice in socks and tomorrow is maratrail!

The lodging of the first step will be that of the White Water:

http://www.gite-eaublanche.com/

Gite de l'Eau Blanche Villard Reymond

-

A shower, some delicacies of Laurence (Cookies, Homemade cookies ...), a beer and it's a gargantuan meal awaits us:

• Soupe au pistou
• Chicken with crozets
• White Sheep Cheese
• Apricot-pear tarts
• Coffee
• Herbal tea Génépi
• Liquor Genepi!

Everyone sleep before the match between France and Mexico, there is something (for meals and delivery of Anelka, Govou & Co.). This will be the only downside of the day ...

See you soon for the second stage!