Hoping to do the Barre des Ecrins at the end of September, and be back in Paris to watch Ireland hammer the Argentinians at the rugby! Is that a bit too late to do it? How difficult is the summit ridge to do from the Dome? From doing a bit of research, I'm under the impression that the main dangers of the normal route are crevasses on the way up and down, and the occasional falling serac in the afternoon as things heat up. Anyone got any additional Info?
The normal route of Barre des Ecrins is not a difficult way. It is true that there can be crevasses especially so late in the season.
The best option would be to call the Ecrins Hut which at the foot of Barre des Ecrins. They will know for usre how the conditions are locally. However they might closed now...
Refuge des Ecrins : +33 4 9223 4666
PS : Don't miss France against Argentina this Friday either ;o)
Regarding the rugby, the big one is going to be France-Ireland. Looking forward to that. We want revenge for February..... and what better place than Stade de France for that?