Tour of the Oisans: The GR54. Kev Reynolds

Tour of the Oisans: The GR54

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About the Author

Kev Reynolds first tackled the Tour of the Oisans in the early 1990s, returned a few years later to research a walking guide to the Écrins National Park (when he trekked most of the GR54 again), then concentrated on the route in the summer of 2007 before producing this present guide. He has been walking and climbing in the Alps for more than 40 years, and has written over 20 titles concerning Europe's premier mountain range. A freelance author, photojournalist and lecturer, Kev's first guide for Cicerone Press (Walks & Climbs in the Pyrenees) appeared in 1978, and is still in print. He has also published a number of trekking guides to Nepal and, nearer to home, several guides on walking in southern England. As well as compiling guidebooks he regularly writes features for the outdoor press, and produces brochures for tourist authorities. The first honorary member of the British Association of International Mountain Leaders (BAIML), and a member of the Alpine Club, Austrian Alpine Club and Outdoor Writers' and Photographers' Guild (OWPG), Kev's enthusiasm for the countryside in general, and mountains in particular, remains undiminished after a lifetime's activity. When not trekking in one of the world's great ranges he lives among what he calls ‘the Kentish Alps’, and during the winter months regularly travels throughout Britain to convey that enthusiasm through his lectures. Check him out on www.kevreynolds.co.uk

Cicerone titles by Kev Reynolds

Alpine Points of View

Walking in the Alps

100 Hut Walks in the Alps

Tour of Mont Blanc

Tour of the Vanoise

Tour of the Jungfrau Region

Alpine Pass Route

Chamonix to Zermatt – the Walkers' Haute Route

The Écrins National Park

Walking in the Engadine

Walking in the Valais

The Bernese Alps

Walking in Ticino

Central Switzerland

Walks & Climbs in the Pyrenees

The Pyrenees

Walking in Kent

Walking in Sussex

The South Downs Way

The North Downs Way

The Cotswold Way

Annapurna – a Trekker's Guide

Everest – a Trekker's Guide

Manaslu – a Trekker's Guide

Kangchenjunga – a Trekker's Guide

Langtang, Helambu & Gosainkund – a Trekker's Guide

TOUR OF THE OISANS THE GR54

Kev Reynolds

2 POLICE SQUARE, MILNTHORPE, CUMBRIA LA7 7PY

www.cicerone.co.uk

ISBN-13: 978-1-85284-550-6

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

All photographs by the author except those on pages 19, 22, 28, 34, 46, 52, 54 (lower photo), 72, 76, 103 and 115 which were taken by Jonathan Williams.

Acknowledgements

The late Andrew Harper wrote the first English-language guide to the Tour of the Oisans in 1986, and his enthusiasm for the route inspired my first visit. That was undertaken as a full backpacking trek, and having failed to learn the lesson I foolishly carried tent, food and cooking equipment on my second venture round much of the route several years later. Happily, when Jonathan Williams suggested we trek the Tour of the Oisans together to research this guide, he insisted (without any opposition from me) that we travel light and use conventional gîte, hotel or refuge accommodation. So my first expression of thanks is to him, especially for his good-humoured company, generosity and patience along the way. Jeff Williams was to have written this guide for Cicerone, but when circumstances got in the way he magnanimously offered me his route notes and observations, and then, with Maryann his wife, provided welcome hospitality and assistance with transport. I offer them both my warmest thanks for their open friendship. As ever I am indebted to the Cicerone team in Milnthorpe, for they are the talented folk who transform the skeleton of my manuscript into the book you hold in your hands. Mine are the pleasures of spending weeks among the mountains with tape recorder, notebook and camera, but editor Sue Viccars, along with Hazel, Caroline and Clare put their skills and talents to my advantage, and I am truly grateful to them. And finally, it is my wife whose love and support makes every mountain trip possible. This book is also hers.

Advice to Readers

Readers are advised that while every effort is taken by the author to ensure the accuracy of this guidebook, changes can occur which may affect the contents. It is advisable to check locally on transport, accommodation, shops, etc, but even rights of way can be altered. The publisher would welcome notes of any such changes.

Front cover: Lac de Vallonpierre and the original refuge visited on Stage 6

CONTENTS

Introduction

The Route

Suggested Itineraries

Safety in the Mountains