Murray's CV
- Professional Guide all year round for more than 12 years
- Wants to convey his enthusiasm for all the activities no matter whether in summer or winter or on rock, snow or ice
- Accredited member of several professional organisations including the
British Mountain Guides and, in France, the
Syndicat National des Guides de Montagne.
Murray also holds a carnet from the
UIAGM (Union
Internationale des Associations de Guides de Montagne), the world's
highest award attainable in mountaineering
- Instructional courses or guiding - he loves them both!
- Experience of 35 years rock climbing and alpine climbing over 30 years
- An unequalled knowledge in the English speaking world of the Ecrins massif and of the southern French Alps
- More than 100 first ascents, mainly in the UK, but also in the European and New Zealand Alps
- Climbs and skis to this day for his own pleasure
Murray's availability
Broadly speaking, activities are timed as follows:
- ice climbing - mid December to mid February
- off-piste skiing - December to April
- ski touring - February to May
- alpine rock - May to October
- alpinism - June to September
- rock climbing - May to October
These dates are indicative only. Please consult the
detailed planner for specific dates and of
availability. If, through prior bookings, Murray is unavailable for your preferred dates, he has many
English speaking Guide friends who he can contact on your behalf.
The Ecrins is one of France's foremost areas for all mountain activities. It lies within the Dauphiné region located between the Maurienne valley to the north, the Durance valley to the east and the Drac river to the west. It contains the Cerces mountains to the north and the Ecrins to the south. Both massifs have a lot to offer mountaineers, climbers and skiers and contain the Ecrins National Park which culminates in the Barre des Ecrins (4012m). The busy Glacier Blanc in the east contrasts with the quiet of the western Valgaudemar and Venéon valleys.
Rock routes on volcanic rock abound in the central area whilst the surrounding areas of the Briançonnais, Cerces, Vercors and Devoluy contain numerous multipitch and single pitch routes usually on limestone.
The area is also famous for its classic mountaineering with routes to all the major summits including of course the celebrated Meije being amongst the hardest. It was first climbed in 1877 and was the last of the major Alpine peaks to be ascended.