France Low Mountains (FL)

Transcription

1 Summits on the Air France Low Mountains (FL) Reference Manual (ARM) Document Reference S137.1 Version 1.1 Date of Issue 01-February-2017 Participation start date 01-February-2017 Authorised SOTA MT Date 01-February-2017 Manager Ducroux Robert F5HTR SOTA: An original concept by G3WGV and developed by G3CWI Note «Summits on the Air», SOTA and the logo SOTA are trademarks of the programme. This document is copyright of the Programme. The source data used in the Marylin lists herein is copyright of Alan Dawson and used with his permission. All other trademarks and copyrights referenced herein are acknowledged. 1

2 Table of Contents 1 CHANGE CONTROL ASSOCIATION RÉFÉRENCE DATA PROGRAMME DERIVATION GENERAL INFORMATION RIGHTS OF WAY AND ACCESS ISSUES MAPS AND NAVIGATION SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS DISCLAIMER SUMMIT REFERENCE DATA REGIONAL REFERENCE NORD-OUEST Regional Notes Summit List REGIONAL REFERENCE SUD-OUEST Regional Notes Summit List REGIONAL REFERENCE VAL DE LA LOIRE Regional Notes Summit List REGIONAL REFERENCE VOSGES Regional Notes Summit List Régions SOTA France - FL Document reference S137.1 v1.1

3 1 Change Control Date Version Modifications 01-Feb First release date of document The new Manager for the France Low is Robert Ducroux F5HTR. The "FL" association for "France Low" includes the low mountain regions such as the Vosgien massif (F / VO), the Loire Valley (F / VL), and the so-called "flat" regions such as north and west of France (F / NO), and the south-west (F / SO). The prominence in this area is 100m. The new team of regional managers is constituted as follows: F/NO : Christophe Toullec (F5UBH) F/VL : Christian Gondard (F6FTB) F/VO : Robert Ducroux (F5HTR) F/SO : Robert Ducroux (F5HTR) A thorough revision of the lists of summits in the regions of concern were made by all the managers and supervised by F6HBI and F5HTR. All summit data was reviewed including: Names, elevations, coordinates, prominence, points scoring, regions and departments. Many summits were deleted because they already existed. New heights are also added or corrected. The references of the summits remain the same with just the addition of the letter L in the prefix. This is to keep the history of the summit scoring in-line with the old association. The winter bonus is extended until March 15 of the year. 01-Feb Banding/elevation levels reset in-line with a P100m association 3 Document reference S137.1 v1.1

4 2 Reference Data Participation start date Originally 1 April 2007 New association 1 Feb 2017 Regions: Remarks : Corsica and DOM-TOM being DXCC separate, they will have to separate associations. parameters 1 Nord-Ouest (NO-xxx) Sud-Ouest (SO-xxx) Val de la Loire (VL-xxx) Vosges (VO-xxx) Summit operation criteria Band 1, score 1 point Band 2, score 2 points Band 3, score 4 points Band 4, score 6 points Band 5, score 8 points Band 6, score 10 points Seasonal bonus Bonus rationale Min. height for bonus Bonus period dates sponsored awards Manager The activation can be carried out in a maximum vertical range of 25m with respect to the summit. <350m ASL >=350m ASL, <450m ASL >=450m ASL, <600m ASL >=600m ASL, <750m ASL >=750m ASL, <900m ASL >=900m ASL Yes Winter period with highest probability of sub zero temperatures 3 Points for activating >=1000m ASL 1st December to 15 March inclusive None Robert DUCROUX F5HTR : f5htr@yahoo.fr 1 See General Rules for Parameter definitions 4 Document reference S137.1 v1.1

5 1.1 Programme Derivation SOTA-France is an extension of similar programs in other countries. The initial list of summits is based on the work of Mark Trengove, Jonathan de Ferranti and Aaron Maizlish, and published at We thank the authors of this work for the authorization they have given us for the use of this data. In a similar way to the Marilyns program in Britain, a summit can be taken into account if its altitude is at least 150m higher than its environment. Each summit must be separated from another by a vertical drop of at least 150. The summits are located in the SOTA France regions according to the table in paragraph 4. If a summit is on the border of two (or more) SOTA France regions, it is allocated to a single region. The head of the association reserves the right to modify the lists in the interest of the program. One might think that the summit databases are incomplete due to the large number of potential summits. SOTA operators can submit details of potential summits to the head of the association f5htr@yahoo.fr If the summit conforms to the rules defined by SOTA France, it can be added to the official list. The new summits will be valid only when a reference number is assigned to them by the head of the association. Any other suggestion or question can be sent to the person in charge. 2.1 General Information France has some famous mountainous regions, most of which lie to the south and east of the country. Some regions are dotted with lesser-known peaks. The highest mountains are very difficult to access, even for experienced climbers, but each region has a choice of more accessible hikes for hikers or cyclists. 1.2 Rights of Way and Access Issues France has a complete network of well marked hiking trails (GR), as well as a large number of excellent maps. Access to a few summits is reserved. In this case, it is necessary to obtain permission from the owner before the summit is activated. 1.3 Maps and Navigation Hiking maps in France are published by the Institut Géographique National (IGN). They are available in most libraries, as well as on the IGN website IGN maps are available in various formats, but the most useful for mountaineering are Series 1: 100,000 "TOP100" and the series 1:25,000 "TOP25". They are also available on CD-ROM. The 74 cards in the TOP100 series cover the whole country, and the 1cm scale for 1km is perfect for planning a route. Although these maps provide a reasonable amount of detail, the scale is insufficient for serious mountain activity. The TOP25 series is highly recommended for detailed shipments. These maps give a greater amount of detail and include important data useful for navigation. In general, each department is covered by two TOP25 cards. Normally, hiking on most French summits is not difficult, provided you stay on the trails and that the weather is good. However, it is easy to be disoriented, especially in remote areas and in bad weather. Only the foolhardy would venture without a compass and its instructions. 2.2 Safety Considerations In France, temperatures can be very high in summer, especially in the south, but it is necessary to keep in mind that the mountain can become an inhospitable place all year round due to bad weather. Mont Blanc, in the Alps, is the highest peak in Western Europe, and, like many of its neighbors, it is covered often with snow. Never venture to the highest French mountains without 5 Document reference S137.1 v1.1

6 adequate equipment: adapted shoes, warm clothes, map, compass and without having taken all the local information. The coverage of GSM phones can be of unreliable at times in mountainous areas, but it may be useful to bring it with you. In addition, during a long, hot summer, there is a considerable risk of fire when the natural vegetation is too dry. Never light fires, and always be aware of the dangers, especially during the seasons at great risk. Finally, never underestimate the Mistral. This always cold wind, often blowing in gusts, descending from the valley of the Rhone towards Provence, can generate a blue sky, but can reach sufficient forces to overturn you - attention on exposed rocky crests! 1.4 Disclaimer Hiking and climbing are potentially dangerous activities. The managers of SOTA are in no way responsible for accidents. Each SOTA activator commits themself at their own risk and must be able to decide, on the basis of their competences, whether the objective is within the realm of the possible. The inclusion of a summit on the official list does not mean that it is easy to access, and it is essential to take careful consideration before the activation. 6 Document reference S137.1 v1.1

7 3 Summit Reference Data 3.1 Region Reference Nord-Ouest Region - NO Regional Manager - NO Nord-Ouest (NO-xxx) Contacts : F5UBH Christophe Toullec f5ubh@orange.fr Regional Notes This region, which stretches from the border of Luxembourg to Cap Finistere in Brittany, includes some groups of summits. Along the Belgian border are the wooded hills and valleys of the Ardennes. From a geological point of view, this highland region, bordered by Belgium and Luxembourg, is an extension of the Eifel mountain range in Germany. Towards the South, one finds a softer landscape, the world famous region of Champagne. Along the coasts of the Channel, and close to the trans-channel ports, the chalky hills of the Pasde-Calais have easily accessible peaks. To the south of the river "Seine", north of Normandy, the hills of "Suisse Normande" are dominated by the summit of Mont Pinçon at 365m. Farther from the coast, the Normandy-Maine Regional Park includes the Mont des Avaloirs which rises to 416m; It is the highest peak in the SOTA North West region. At the western end of the region, in the Regional Natural Park of Armorique are the irregular hills of the Monts d'arrée. Although they only reach 400m, these hills deserve the name "mountains" - The climate is cold during the winter, the stony slopes are steep, and it is very easy to get lost if you leave the trails Table of summits is shown on the SOTA website. 3.2 Region Reference Sud-Ouest Region - SO Regional Manager - SO Sud-Ouest (SO-xxx) Contacts : F5HTR Robert Ducroux F5HTR@yahoo.fr Regional Notes With the Massif Central to the east, the Loire Valley to the north, and the Pyrenees to the south, the South West is a relatively flat region. Only two summits were recorded in SOTA Table of summits is shown on the SOTA website. 7 Document reference S137.1 v1.1

8 3.3 Region Reference Val de la Loire Region - VL Regional Manager - VL Val de la Loire (VL-xxx) Contacts : F6FTB Christian Gondard gondard.christian@orange.fr Regional Notes This region includes the departments along the banks of the longest river in France. The Loire extends over 1000 km. It is at Mont Gerbier de Jonc, in Ardèche Vivarais that it takes its source and flows to the Bay of Biscay near Saint-Nazaire. It is a region more famous for its beautiful castles than its peaks, but there are enough for SOTA lovers Table of summits is shown on the SOTA website. 3.4 Region Reference Vosges Region - VO Regional Manager - VO Vosges (VO-xxx) Contacts : F5HTR Robert Ducroux F5htr@yahoo.fr Regional Notes The mountains of the Vosges stretch along the west bank of the Rhine for about 250 km. The chain consists of three parts, from South to North: Les Grandes Vosges, an average altitude of 1100m, including rounded summits called "balloons". The Central Vosges, with an average altitude of 900m, whose summits are narrower and more pointed. Les Basses Vosges, a plateau with an average altitude of 500m. The lower slopes are now deforested, but higher up, a vast forest covers the chain, except on the highest peaks that are covered by the prairie. The western part of the chain is beaten by rain and snow, and the average temperature is lower in this part of the Vosges. There is a wine growing on the east slope up to 400m (the wines of Alsace). Snow often covers this massif. The highest peak is at the Grand Ballon de Guebwiller (1424m) in the southern part. Access to the weather forecast for this region can be found on the link below: Table of summits is shown on the SOTA website. 8 Document reference S137.1 v1.1

9 4 Régions SOTA France 9 Document reference S137.1 v1.1