Fournel Millennium 2000

The “Rassemblement International des Glacieristes du Fournel” will gather for the 10th consecutive year from the 3rd to the 9th of January 2000. This meet has established itself as an important reference point for ice climbers, and this very special 10th anniversary will be celebrated over an entire week, instead of the traditional single weekend.

The “10th Rassemblement International des Glacieristes du Fournel” will also host the important “Piolet d'or”, which itself has matured and is now in its 9th year. Organised by the French “'Montagnes Magazine”, it is widely recognised as one of the most prestigious alpine awards, giving merit to those alpinists whose undertakings have been of extreme significance. One candidate will be presented every evening until the actual Awards Ceremony on Saturday 8th January. On this occasion the French Alpine Club’s “Bourse Expé Jeunes” will also be awarded.

Participants will have over 250 icefalls of all grades to choose from, situated in valleys of Aup Martin, Ailefroide, Chambran, Fournel and Freissinières. The councils of 'Argentière la Bessée, Freissinières, Vallouise and Pelvoux will do their utmost to keep the walk-in to these icefalls as easily accessible as possible.

Programme A free shuttle service will drive participants to the icefalls, departing daily at 7.30am from the swimming pool bar in Argentière-la-Bessée. Numerous Spanish members of GAME will be celbrating the 50th anniversary of their club, offering hot drinks to climbers.
	Monday 3rd January 2000 1500 - Welcome in the swimming pool bar in Argentière-la-Bessée and accommodation arrangements. 1900 - Fireworks for the 3rd Millennium at the crag Orologio al Collets. 2100 - Briefing at the Foyer Culturel: presentation of the week’s programme, safety issues, condition of icefalls by Robert Balestra. Finish evening by introducing one of the candidates for the “Piolets d'Or”.
	Tuesday 4th January 2000 0900 – Begin ice climbing, gear tests. Gear can be bought at the swimming pool bar and Sport 2000 in Argentiere. Ice sculptures every morning in front of the Foyeur Culturel Argentière. 2100 – Introduction of another candidate for the “Piolets d'Or” and film about ice climbing in Fournel and Freissinières introduced by Claude Gardien.
	Wednesday 5th January 2000 1030 - 1400 – Ice climbing specifically for youth. Introduction of the FFME group Eccellenza by young members of the team and Christhope Moulin. Ice sculptures for youth in front of the Foyeur Culturel. 2100 – Introduction of another candidate for the “Piolets d'Or”
	Thursday 6th January 2000 Ice climbing organised by the FFME group Eccellenza and local Mountain Guides 2100 – Introduction of another candidate for the “Piolets d'Or”, tombola offered by mountaineering company.
	Friday 7th January 2000 1500 - Welcome for weekend participants Ice sculptures in front of the Foyeur Culturel. 1800 - Safety briefing and weekend programme at the swimming pool bar 21.00 – Introduction of another candidate for the “Piolets d'Or”, tombola offered by mountaineering company, jazz evening.
	Saturday 8th January 2000 1900 - Light and sound show on artificial icefall in Argentière. 1930 - “Piolets d'Or” Ceremonial Dinner at the Foyeur Culturel. 2100 - Presentation of the “Piolets d'Or” and the CAF’s “Bourse Expé Jeunes”. Orchestra
	Sunday 9th January 2000 Shuttle bus service all day. Last return at 1700.

Further information: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/gerard.pailheiret.