Dry Tooling Contest by Camp

Drytooling is the art of climbing rocks with ice axes and crampons. Whether you're a seasoned competitor or a curious beginner, you'll be able to practice on the equipped Hell Cave cliff below Fort Victor-Emmanuel.

Description

Ice axes, crampons, and rock: the Dry Tooling Contest by C.A.M.P. returns to Aussois on October 3, 2026, for its third edition!

Dry tooling is a climbing discipline that draws on the techniques and equipment used in ice climbing: climbers ascend rock faces using ice axes and crampons. It’s a technical and spectacular sport, enjoyed by specialists as well as mountaineers looking to prepare for mixed routes and the ice climbing season.

Please note: dry tooling cannot be practiced on just any cliff. The use of ice axes and crampons requires climbing at sites specifically designated and equipped for this discipline, in order to preserve natural climbing areas.

In Aussois, head to Hell Cave, in the Gorges du Diable, beneath the imposing forts of Esseillon. This site, specially designed for dry tooling, offers routes for all skill levels, from beginner-friendly climbs to particularly challenging routes.

After attracting more than 70 participants from all over Europe in 2025, the Dry Tooling Contest by C.A.M.P. returns to Aussois for its third edition in an atmosphere that’s both competitive and friendly. Seasoned competitors, mountain enthusiasts, and climbers curious to discover the discipline can come together around this practice, which is still relatively unknown but rapidly growing.

This event is fully in line with the spirit of Aussois, the base camp in the Vanoise—a prime playground for vertical activities: rock climbing, via ferrata, mountaineering, ice climbing… and dry tooling!

Access to Hell Cave: From the Fort Victor-Emmanuel parking lot, take the path toward the Pont du Diable. When you reach the end of the Paradis zipline, follow the trail leading to the cave.

See you on October 3, 2026, for the 3rd edition of the Dry Tooling Contest by C.A.M.P.

Opening period

Saturday 3 October 2026 from 10 am.

Spoken languages

• French

Location

Animals

Pets allowed : No