The Ecotraversée de Belledonne 2020, in the footsteps of walkers

From June 28 to July 4, 2020, the 3rd edition of theEcotraversée de Belledonne brought together fifteen participants eager to learn more about the mountain. During this itinerant hike, they met with various experts from the massif, directly confronting the challenges of the territory through field observations, exchanges and debates. To reduce the impact of their activities on the natural environment, they opted for “soft mobility”, taking the bus from Grenoble and then hitchhiking to Fond de France, the starting point of the hike.

Labex ITTEM researchers involved
How can you hike up the Combe Madame valley without mentioning the presence of the wolf? Some participants kicked off the day with a discussion on the theses of philosopher and tracker Baptiste Morizot. Then, with Marion Simon-Deloche and Labex ITTEM researcher Mikaël Chambru (Gresec), they followed in the animal’s footsteps, questioning the controversies surrounding its return to our mountain ranges and the role of the various players involved. Through this complex environmental and societal issue, they questioned their relationship with nature and the wild. At the suggestion of the Combe Madame refuge keeper, and to conclude this immersion, the walkers set up camp in the sheep park, which was empty for the time being, while awaiting the ascent to the mountain pastures.

After this introductory stage, the rest of the traverse took place mainly on the GR 738, heading south to Domène. Throughout the week, a number of artistic, scientific and territorial presentations opened the way for discussions on the issues of mountain water, glaciers, climate and ecology in general.

Participants also met with local players such as Espace Belledonne, whose approach echoes the values of the Ecotraversée; La Cocotte des Adrets, an associative coworking space; and the Auberge de la Gélinotte in Freydières and the Belledonne microbrewery. Questions about soft mobility were complemented by presentations of the Citiz car-sharing network, the Rézo Pouce hitchhiking network and the bicycle itineraries in the Belledonne balconies developed by the Bel’Velec program.

Following the screening of Benjamin Pouillot’s film Agir ensemble, discussions with hut wardens and a chat with Frédi Meignan, President of Mountain Wilderness France, everyone was able to appreciate the importance of supporting and linking local initiatives. During a stopover at the Prapoutel les Sept Laux ski resort, discussions focused on the mountain tourism of tomorrow, and on ways to keep these types of tourist sites alive all year round.

Interdisciplinarity at every level

In the background, a global reflection on climate – its impact on mountain environments and the influence of man on its evolution – punctuated the week’s exchanges, enriched by the interventions. Glaciologist Lucas Davaze and Thierry Lebel, Director of Research at the Institut des Géosciences et de l’Environnement, took a scientific approach to the subject. Participatory storytelling by Laurence Druon, from the collective Un Euro ne fait pas le Printemps, and readings from the play Mort d’une Montagne by the Compagnie de théâtre Les Non Alignés offered an artistic perspective on these issues. Finally, the board game La Vallée de Mont’ Clim, created and presented by Chloé Mahieu (Labex ITTEM trainee, Refuges Sentinelles program), rounded off the discussion with a playful, educational approach.

The interdisciplinarity embodied by the various speakers enabled us to multiply our viewpoints and grasp the links between the various issues raised throughout the journey. Subjects were tackled without simplification, so as to show the complexity of the intertwined issues at stake, while walking times gave everyone the opportunity to pursue their thoughts, alone or in discussion.

The diversity of the participants’ profiles gave rise to richly informative informal discussions during the presentations, hikes and evenings in the refuge. It’s the image of a mountain that’s alive and constantly evolving that the participants of the Ecotraversée will remember, aware of the many issues that drive it and that need to be tackled in all their complexity.

A few testimonials from participants…

“I enjoyed it immensely. I think it’s one of the most interesting experiences I’ve had in a long time. To be able to walk for hours with people who are experts in their field, to be able to talk with them, reflect and ask them questions the next day is something quite unique” – Frédérick

“The artistic eye is a better way of appropriating themes that don’t necessarily affect us on a day-to-day basis. It’s not easy to change people’s minds with rational arguments. It’s really a tool that should be used in local conservation and development programs to reach people more easily.” – Camille

“I had a great week, discovering the whole of southern Belledonne, which I didn’t know at all. All the talks were really different, and the speakers enlightened us all on different facets of the mountain and the relationship between the mountain and us, as practitioners, tourists or local residents. It reinforced my interest and love for the mountains” – Abel

Ecotraversée 2020 received financial and organizational support from Labex ITTEM, alongside other partners (UGA, FFCAM, Alpes-là!) .Thanks to Sonia Petit, a UGA M1 Communication et culture scientifiques et techniques (CCST) student, and intern in charge of scientific communication for the Ecotraversée de Belledonne 2020 project.

Photos: © Emeline Frambourg © EcotraverséeBelledonne2020

Find out more about Ecotraversée 2020:

• All the info on ecotraversee-alpes.fr: www.ecotraversee-alpes.fr
• Relive the Ecotraversée day by day in an audio podcast produced by SkadiandCo
• A glimpse of the ecotraversée in the report produced by France 3