Mountain guides of the Ecrins: passing on the torch
© - Raymond Peru
Raymond Peru was born in 1940, Sébastien Foissac in 1973. They are fired by the same passion for the Alps, and keeping the flame alive.
Mountain guide Raymond Peru is one of the eldest members of the Ecrins company. He completed his training in 1963, at the national skiing and mountaineering School in Chamonix (l’ENSA), and 2009 is his 46th mountaineering season. Even though he admits he's "taking it a bit easier" as his 69th birthday is approaching, he still continues to accompany clients to the White Glacier on the Dôme des Ecrins, or on that great classic, the crossing of La Meije. "Most people who have no experience of the Alps dream of adding another notch to their belt by climbing a 4,000er. It's quite an art to convince them to begin with an introductory course, it requires a lot of patience. After all, it's a better idea to start with a successful small climb than a disastrous long one!"
According to himself, Raymond keeps to tradition. Rock climbing in summer, cross-country skiing in winter. Like every good guide, he knows his own limits. "The aim is to share exceptional moments in an exceptional environment, but above all to bring the clients back to the valley safe and sound. I would no longer venture to the South Pillar of Les Ecrins alone with a client."
This is why he has handed on some of his routes to Sébastien Foissac, one of the youngest bureau members, who came to the valley in 1995 as a conscientious objector, before training as a guide. An ice and rock climbing specialist, Sébastien used to practise on the cliffs near Cahors. The dreams of his youth have come true in the valley of Vallouise: idyllic surroundings, sunshine, with "pleasant and energetic people" who spur each other on to climb, ski and take an active part in mountain activities.
Both guides have noted a drop in traditional mountaineering and growing interest in fun sports, less time-consuming and less physically taxing: cliff climbing, canyoning, ice fall climbing etc. Both have a flexible approach to their profession, and are willing to adapt to new circumstances. Habits change, fashions change, equipment changes - all these factors converge to give their clients more independence, while contributing to the decrease in the number of real mountain lovers, to the regret of Raymond Peru. But guides have always had to adjust their activity to demand. So younger people prefer canyoning, surfing, freeriding, chutes, gullies, via ferrata? No problem, the Ecrins guides are ready and willing, as long as they can continue sharing their passion!
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Pays des Ecrins
Vallouise
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Topic : Landscapes and nature
Published on : 2009/06/23
Tags : guides ecrins transmission passion
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