Hi all, I'm looking for some advice regarding a trip to the Ecrins that I'm planning for mid-september this year. Am planning on going for a couple of weeks, we're fairly experienced with UK climbing/mountaineering but haven't done any alpine climbing before. We'd be looking to do lots of fairly easy big rock routes, slowly working up to some harder stuff. We also wouldlike to keep costs down if possible (one reason why the Ecrins over Chamonix).
Firstly, is mid-September a good time to go to the Ecrins weather-wise, and what kind of conditions can we expect the routes to be in? I've been told that the routes are generally solid/well bolted, but also read that the rock is sometimes not solid so am not sure if that only applies to the harder stuff?
Secondly, how do people usually get around in the Ecrins? We're hoping to have a car for some of the trip, and base ourselves probably near Ailefroide for the rest, or bivvy nearer to the routes.
And finally, how much does one usually spend for a couple of weeks in the Ecrins these days? Have seen posts on here saying people spent a month there for a couple of hundred quid back in 2005, but I'm guessing it costs a bit more than that these days haha.
Also if you have any route recommendations that would be great, I think I have a good list but would welcome any other advice you may have.
This is my list of potential climbs in the area I've been looking at: https://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/set.php?id=6901