My first 3000 - Le Petit Cocor
Weekend in Vanoise

Trip

In this programme we're heading off for a weekend in the mountains in the heart of the French Alps to reach our first summit at an altitude of over 3,000 metres. If conditions are right, we're even planning to climb a second summit. Take up the challenge, breathe in the pure mountain air and create unforgettable memories. Ready to conquer your first 3000?

Program

Program for the Vanoise hiking weekend :

DAY 1
Val d'Isère - Petit Cocor (3018 m)

Difference in altitude : + 1000 m and - 650 m
Duration: around 5 to 6 hours

We'll meet at 8:30am in Val d'Isère with our mountain leader. We'll take the time to get to know each other and look at your rucksacks. There's no need to pack too big: we'll be spending just one night in a refuge, and meals will be prepared on site.

We'll begin the ascent to our summit on the right bank of the Isère and enter the Vanoise National Park. After crossing the Malpasset gorges, we'll arrive at the col and later the summit, which is on the Franco-Italian border between the Haute Tarentaise valleys in France and the Orco valley in Italy.

We'll take the time to take a few photos, and we may be lucky enough to see some ibex. We'll then begin the descent to the mountain refuge where we'll be staying this evening.
 

DAY 2
Val d'Isère - Pointe des Fours (3072 m)

Difference in altitude : +800 m and -1060 m
Duration: approximately 6 to 7 hours

After a restful night, we'll head down the Malpasset gorges and take the car to visit another valley just outside Val d'Isère, part of the Vanoise National Park. We'll begin the ascent to the Pointe des Fours (3072 m), offering breathtaking views of the Alps and surrounding peaks, including the Grande Casse, the highest point in the Vanoise, and the Grand Paradis on the Italian side.

The route crosses alpine meadows and snowfields, where it's not unusual to come across ibex, marmots and golden eagles. We'll have the chance to take a break at the Fond des Fours refuge. Accessible to hikers in good physical condition, the Pointe de Fours offers a relatively gentle ascent for a 3000-metre peak, making the experience as rewarding as it is rewarding.

Equipment

Equipment for the Trek

RUCKSACK FOR 2 DAYS:

If possible take a bag that is light with good carrying capacity, the bag should not exceed 1.5 kilos.

• Small: 35 litres max
• Large: 40 litres max
   

Kilos to carry - it's better to wash than to carry:

• Small: 5/6 kilos max, without water and food
• Large: 6/7 kg max, without water and food

Allow 2 litres of water and 500 grams of food for the day.
 

Head-to-toe equipment for the trek:

• a cap or hat for the sun
• a hat for the cold
• a buff or choker (optional, but great in bad weather)
• a Gore Tex jacket or equivalent for bad weather
• a pair of gloves, waterproof if possible
• a small down jacket or fleece to withstand sub-zero temperatures
• a light jumper; if it's cold, we'll wear all the layers
• two technical T-shirts
• two pairs of socks, which can be washed in the streams near the refuges (use solid soap to wash)
• a pair of trousers
• shorts
• a bag cover for the rain
• a waterproof bag to keep a change of clothes dry
• a change of clothes for the refuge
• A pair of hiking boots with Vibram soles or good quality trail shoes from 20 July, if possible try them on before the trek.
   

Essential items:

• a light rucksack for the refuge
• 2 telescopic walking poles
• water bottle (2 litres minimum)
• sun cream factor 30 to 50
• a pair of category 3 sunglasses
• a headlamp
• snacks for the day, such as dried fruit, seeds and chocolate
• picnic lunch for the first day
• cash and your identity card
   

Toiletries :

• a light, quick-drying towel, hiking style
• body soap
• toothbrush with toothpaste or solid toothpaste
• small shampoo (specialist shops sell small bottles that you can keep for the rest of your hiking life)
• a pair of earplugs to help you sleep at night in the refuge
   

Pharmacy & other items:

• your medication
• a survival blanket
• nail clippers
• enough to make small dressings
• a few compresses and plasters or, better still, Strappal

Your guide will have a more comprehensive first-aid kit in case of a major accident.

A small book or card game (weighing less than 150 grams)...
 

Necessities for meals :

• a light Opinel-type knife
• a fork and a spoon
• a local speciality to share with the rest of the team, liquid or solid.

Weight is the hiker's enemy, but a frozen or soaked hiker is a hiker without pleasure!

So take the time to prepare your rucksack well and weigh it before setting off to check that without water or food your bag is 6 to 7 KG but no more!

IMPORTANT: if someone is not properly equipped and dressed, the mountain guide may decide not to allow them to take part in the climb. Please read the equipment list provided in the PDF programme carefully and call us if you have any doubts.

Level

Technical level 2.5/5 :

CONFIRMED MOUNTAIN HIKER

Mountain walking for experienced hikers, you have experience and ability in the mountains? Some sections are vertiginous and you may need to use your hands to help you progress. You'll learn about the weather and have some mapping experience, and the guide can help you pick up a map to learn how to manage a route if you wish!
 

Physical level 2.5/5 :

FAIRLY SPORTY COURSE

Effort corresponding to around 900 - 1000 m of ascent per day.

It's good if you've already done some mountaineering or, if not, if you like endurance sports and do them regularly!

Useful informations

Useful information to plan your trip

Meeting point on the first day

• 8.30am at the Pont Saint Charles car park in Val d'Isère if you are coming by car.
• 7.30 am at Bourg Saint Maurice station if you are coming by train.

Our guide will brief you on the tour.
 

How to get to the meeting point

• By train, you can take the TGV to Bourg Saint Maurice station.
• By car from Albertville, take the dual carriageway to Moutiers. Then follow the N90 to Bourg Saint Maurice and then the D902 to Val d'Isère, which is 3 hours from Lyon.
   

Car parking

• In Val d'Isère all public car parks are free, for example the car park at La Daille: see the point on the map.
   

Dismissal:

The end of the trip is planned for Sunday afternoon in Val d'Isère. We can share a drink together to round off this mountain weekend.
 

Accommodation

Half-board in a mountain refuge. You will need to bring a sheet for the night. A hot shower costs 4 euros per person. Remember to bring cash for drinks, as the refuge does not accept credit cards.
 

Insurance

Cancellation and repatriation insurance is compulsory, as is mountain search and rescue insurance (minimum cover 10,000 euros).

Esprit Montagne offers the following insurance: https: //www.assurance-multi-sports.com.
 

Car pooling

When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to take part in car pooling to get to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your reservation, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of participants on your course who are interested in carpooling, enabling you to contact them directly.