Zen and Gourmet Snowshoeing Stay

Southern Alps, PACA Region - Ubaye Valley - Barcelonnette

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Discover the wild Ubaye Valley with snowshoes on, through a perfect mix of star-shaped hikes from your welcoming and cozy lodge, Yoga and Spa wellness, unusual activities, and delightful gourmet surprises!

Dam-nature04 - Raquettes à neige en Ubaye.jpeg

Program

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The mountain is an environment as full of wonders as it is of dangers, which is why it is essential to have all the basics to go hiking and enjoy yourself safely.
This 5-day course without overnight camping, open to anyone from 16 years old, aims to provide you with the essential fundamentals of mountain hiking on and off trails.
A subtle mix of hiking and training!

Petit groupe 8 pers. Max

Sur demande et privatisable

Guide local

Before the course:

Preparation for the course takes place during a comprehensive phone interview to discuss together the content, hiking level, your personal goals, and what you are looking for during these 4 days in order to best meet your expectations by refining the program if necessary.

The course:
After an initial theoretical approach on the first day, all the topics on the program will be covered in the field during various hikes across different areas to help you discover the beautiful Ubaye valley. From mapping/orientation to medicinal and edible plants, as well as effort management, walking and breathing techniques, weather, and more, this course will allow you to acquire a solid foundation in your hiking practice, whether you are a beginner or experienced.

Objectives:
Prepare a one-day or multi-day itinerary on and off the trail

Preparing your hiking gear (choosing equipment, optimizing and packing a backpack, first aid and survival kit) Mapping and Orientation (reading and using IGN maps and orientation tools) Understanding the specifics of the mountain environment and adapting to it (weather, hazards, proper reflexive actions) Managing resources (water, medicinal and edible plants, effort management) Well-being through walking (walking and breathing techniques, managing long (or very long) duration effort, posture) Approach to bivouacking (choosing a site, how to bivouac, setting up shelters) Safety, group management, and mountain rescue Discovering the landscapes and the flora/fauna of the Ubaye Valley

Pre-course - Individual phone interview to prepare for the course

Day 1 - Welcome & Warm-up Hike

Meeting at 9:30 AM - Group welcome + transfer to the first hiking area

The goal of this 4-day course is to acquire a solid foundation for hiking within a group. We will start with a session to get to know each other and discuss everyone's expectations and experiences, both good and bad, as well as the motivations for taking this course. This first warm-up day will be an opportunity to establish basic skills in orientation and map reading, as well as to review equipment, planning, route selection and tracking, and managing essential needs like water.

Indicative end time: 4:30 PM

Day 2 - Secret Hike: Well-being through Walking and Mountain Wildlife

Appointment at 9:00 AM - Travel to the second hiking area

Heading to one of the many wild valleys of the Ubaye Valley to practice the basics of navigation and map reading covered the day before. This day will be an opportunity to cover different themes: Mountain wildlife - Alpine species and ways of life, habitats, observations, and behavior Well-being through walking - Full breathing, Afghan walking, posture and foot roll, backpack carrying, and many other approaches that will allow you, through simple exercises that you can reproduce at home and on your future hikes, to tailor your practice as you wish (endurance, active meditation, relaxation, intense effort, etc.)
Indicative end time: 4:30 PM

Day 3 - Panoramic Hike: Mountain Flora and Thermal/Shelter Management
Meeting at 9:00 AM - Travel to the third hiking sector
Objective: Panoramas and peaks for this day! This day will be an opportunity to cover different topics:
Mountain Flora - Alpine species and safe plant handling techniques, medicinal, edible, and toxic plants (identifying them and expanding knowledge)
Thermal and Shelter Management, Mountain Rescue - Theoretical approach to bivouacking (choosing a location, equipment, avoiding pitfalls) and practical mountain shelter workshop (survival kit, quick shelter setup with a tarp to protect against the elements or spend the night) - Mountain rescue (proper actions, protecting and alerting, managing an accident situation)
Visit to the Maison des Produits de Pays in Jausiers on the return trip + tasting of local products
Indicative end time: 4:30 PM (excluding visit to the Maison des Produits)

Day 4 - Lake Hike: Level 2 Orientation and Group Management
Meeting at 9:00 AM - Travel to the last hiking area
A day of hiking to discover one of the sixty (or more) lakes in the Ubaye Valley! This day will be an opportunity to cover different topics:
- Level 2 Orientation: Off-trail and advanced techniques for locating key points
- Group Management: Each participant will be encouraged to lead the group and make decisions based on what was covered in previous days
Estimated end time: 4:30 PM

Day 5 - Hike PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Meeting at 9:00 AM - Travel to the last hiking area
A day of hiking with the practical application of the week's learning (group management, itinerary planning, etc.)! Debriefing of the 5 days and project

This course, open to anyone engaging in at least a minimal amount of physical activity from the age of 16 (accompanied by an adult), is aimed at those who wish to practice mountain hiking safely over one or more days.

Level and difficulty: Beginner or experienced hikers - The level of the hikes will always be adjusted according to the group and prior phone conversations with participants.
The maximum group size is 10 people. You can register alone or as a group (up to 15 people if the group is already formed).

Physical aspects:
Elevation gain of 300 to 600m per day
Walking time from 4 to 6 hours
Technical aspects:
Marked trails with no major technical difficulty
Prerequisites: Regular practice of at least minimal physical activity

When to register:

Whether I am alone or with a few friends, I sign up for one of the available dates and join a group. If we are already a group of 6 or more, I can join one of the dates depending on availability, or I can choose any date with the facilitator by phone or email that suits the group and finalize a 100% customized program for my group (up to 15 people). If in doubt, don’t hesitate to contact me so we can see together if this workshop is right for you!

Meeting place: Maison des produits de pays in Jausiers 04850 at 9:30 AM on the first day with your vehicle (then 9 AM on the following days) GPS point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Lcv2UA6HBwsfemAj8
Departures to the hiking locations will be done by carpool as much as possible (maximum 20 to 30 minutes drive)

The hike will take place with a minimum of 5 participants

Equipment:

The course consists of 4 varied hikes requiring the basic standard equipment for day trips in the mountains:

Hiking shoes (low or high)
Backpack (30 to 50L)
Sun protection (cream, sunglasses, cap/hat)
1.5L water bottle
Clothing suitable for hiking
Rain jacket/Gore-Tex + fleece jacket for breaks

Provided by the guide:

IGN map and navigation equipment
Wildlife observation equipment (binoculars)
Shelter building workshop materials (tarp and cord)
Radio for emergencies
First aid kit

Not included in the price: Accommodation and meals. Accommodation must be booked and paid for by you; however, we can advise you on accommodation in the valley during our preparatory phone call for the course. Lunch picnics are not included.

Dam-Nature04 Mountain Guide
Survival courses, treks, and hikes in Ubaye

06 08 30 76 54

damnature04@gmail.com

Zen and Gourmet Snowshoeing Stay

Southern Alps, PACA Region - Ubaye Valley - Barcelonnette

Program

5 Days of Hiking and Training in Ubaye

Formulaire de demande