The upcoming Piolets d’Or will take place next month in La Grave-La Meije. This will be an especially rich event, featuring an opening night gathering in Briançon and a four-day international celebration in the area surrounding La Meije.
We’ll spend three friendly, interactive evenings at our ‘base camp’ in La Grave. Our motto for these four days will be “action, inspiration, and sharing”. The time will be filled with encounters with alpinists, outdoor activities, films, small interactive conferences, exhibitions, exchanges, a big celebratory lunch at 3,200 metres, literary cafes, etc.
Opening night event in Briançon on Wednesday 13 April This year’s event is special because it will be highlighting the spirit of international openness and solidarity. A forum featuring surprise guests (policymakers, journalists, alpinists, authors) will be held at 6 pm and is open to the public at the Briançon theatre.
The forum will be followed by an evening dedicated to modern alpinism in the region of La Meije. You’ll get to know the climbers who’ve made the most notable ascents of the past 15 years and who have a keen perspective on the area’s low-profile but thriving alpine climbing scene!
The Piolets d’Or in La Grave from 14 to 17 of April
The event is organised around three main themes that reflect the spirit and values of the Piolets d’Or.
• Great International Alpinism, with the presentation of the most notable ascents of 2015 in the presence of the first ascensionists. This event will also provide a unique opportunity to meet the man to whom the 2016 Piolets d’Or Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented, Voytek Kurtyka, who will be accompanied
by several of his climbing partners. The friendly atmosphere will also provide the public with the opportunity to interact with some living legends (Doug Scott, Catherine Destivelle, Christophe Profit, John Porter, Robert Schauer, Jean Troillet, Sandy Allan, Andy Parkin, Victor Saunders…), as well as many other alpinists from all over the world. Three new films, as well as several book presentations, will further enliven the event.
• At the La Grave Base Camp: the numerous activities and presentations (films, exhibitions, discussions, concerts, local cuisine, etc.) will highlight this unique region and its mountain culture.
• Mountain activities: various mountain activities will be on offer to the public. From the Col du Lautaret to the Vallons de la Meije, the glacier at 3,200 metres, and the south facing highlands above La Grave, come and discover the region of La Meije with mountain professionals and connoisseurs who know how to share their passion!
INFO: Piolets d’Or
