The ladder on the glacier blanc in the Ecrins national park is going to be removed over the weekend 5-6 June. The 30 meter ladder was installed in 1981 but is no longer useful due to the shrinking of the glacier. It will be cut up and taken to a scrap yard by helicopter although a section will be preserved at the National Park Office at Ailefroide as part of an exhibition on climate change and the retreat of the glacier.

The operation preceeds an Alpine conference in Argentière la Bessée (Hautes-Alpes) of scientists, goverment organisations and local officials.