Returning from the Grand Pic au Doigt de Dieu edges traverse or going to the oriental Meije, a night in the Refuge de l’Aigle (3 440 m / 11 286 ft, Oisans) leaves an unforgettable memory. This small hut of 18 places, built in 1910, kept the traditional one room huts’ organization, divided between bedsteads and a dining room. In harmony with a small rock peak, this frail edifice is as well the only human track in this forbidding face that dominates the Romanche.br />     When the French Alpine Club (CAF) planed to destroy this historical hut in order to build a new modern one of 30 places, the Petzl Foundation supported the large mountaineers, opposing to that project in behalf of history, transmission, memory and respect of the site. Particularly with the help of the foundation, the Friends of the Refuge de l’Aigle association was proved right in front of the administrative court that cancelled the demolition consent of the present hut.
 

 

    After the disagreement, it’s a pursuit of an arrangement that prevailed. A steering committee brought together many mountaineering actors and concerned institutions. It permitted to point out a strong idea: if the building is under the CAF and the village’s responsibility, the future of such a patrimony concerns the entire community, in the service which the foundation intends to act.
    In mid-January, the steering committee had to speak out for one of the two projects: one claimed to preserve “the eagle spirit” by demolishing the present hut, whereas the other one kept the building and complied today’s needs with an outbuilding on which a study was required by the foundation. Both sides were taking strong sides and a new discord was taken up to. As the building needs to be strengthened face to natural elements, the risk was to waste many years, letting the legal system take care of a quarrel the community couldn’t resolve.

 

 

Légende photos : la structure en bois du refuge actuel serait préservée et réhaussée pour offrir un niveau de couchage supplémentaire.

Crédit photo : Atelier 17C

 

 

 

 

     That’s why the Petzl Foundation took the initiative to finance a third version of the project, put in charge of the same architect office, with for mission to find an agreement for every side. This new version (confer aside photos) enables to protect the hut in its current standing, its matter and furniture, while preserving this unique patrimony from an unforgiving deterioration.

 

    It is, as a matter of course, a compromise. The building shape is conserved, the inside too but it belongs into a longer, larger and higher wooden body. The unpreserved elements (openings, coating) are presently damaged or aren’t original. Some other questions are still debating: wooden or sheet metal coating, terrace, toilets. This arrangement suits almost every part, including opponents to the initial project as the mountain Group. However, a part of the Friends of the Refuge de l’Aigle association, whose majority of its board of directors, are still against it. We explained them that such a position would put in shade to the useful work they’ve done so far.

    If the consensus is uncompleted, we got close to it. Besides, the idea of a common patrimony for huts has grown. We hope it could allow planning other projects in a new spirit, with more preliminary consultation.