Fontainebleau Part 2 - Video

Part two - Bouldering in the beautiful forest of Fontainebleau...

Fontainebleau Part 2 - 2013 VIDEO

Enjoy!

Cow wash…

Cow, AKA Derek has been thoroughly enjoying the road trip, however, he was starting to look very grubby!  When staying in the log cabin we forced Cow into the sink for a wash, he did not look impressed!  Afterwards he was strung up over the wood burning stove for a few days to dry!  It wasn’t long before he recovered from the ordeal and got into the Easter spirit – he looked particularly fetching in his ‘Creme Egg’ Box!

Ankles and shoulders…

It’s been a busy month socially, as various groups of friends have visited Fontainebleau.  The first group were Simon, Lorraine, Sarah, Dan, Rhys, Duma, Luke and Ellie from The Bristol Climbing Academy (bouldering wall).  It was great fun to climb with them and good to see Lorraine getting high on ‘Moon Dance’ at the end of the week. 

A week later we had the luxury of staying in a log cabin with some other friends – Dan, Lisa, Rich, Sarah and Pete.  The week didn’t go so well for some though…  On day one Dan dislocated his shoulder!  It was an old injury but still very frustrating for him.  Then a few days later Lisa (Dan’s partner) sprained her ankle by landing on the edge of a bouldering pad.  Unfortunately this involved a trip to hospital and some crutches for the rest of the week!  Hopefully, we can have a more successful visit to the forest in the Autumn!

We were then joined by Simon, Jo, Maggie, Iain, Nik, Eve and Al (and some of Maggie's family).  They camped in a local campsite, so we treated ourselves again and enjoyed showers and many evenings around a campfire.  The weather was stunning for this week – loads of sunshine and very little rain.  Well done to Simon for sending his long standing project - Lapin ou Canard!  We climbed most days and were in need of a good rest at the end.

Fontainebleau Part 1 - Video

We've done a quick video of our favourite climbs in font so far... 

Click here to view. 

Enjoy. 

7a Celebration…

One of my aims for this trip was to climb font 7a – preferably in Fontainebleau.  After much searching and trying various problems, I eventually found one that suited me but not my normal style! Le Jeu du Toit in Roche aux Sabots – Overhang with slopers and no long reaches. 

After a quick first session I managed to work out most of the moves apart from the last crux moves and top out – all I had to do now was wait for a break in the weather so I could get on it and work the final moves and hopefully have enough energy to finish it.  Unfortunately the problem is slow drying and after many rainy days I began to think it would never be dry…

Finally there was a break in the weather and I headed up to work the problem one evening.  After warming up Le Jeu du Toit was still a little damp, the crucial slopers were still damp but thought seen as I was there I’d give it a go anyhow.  With some drying and power spotting I successfully figured out the remaining moves all that was left to do was send the problem.  Whilst resting something strange happened - there was suddenly a slight breeze and the holds completely dried.  Now I had no excuses – I knew the moves and conditions were great I just had to send it. 

It went surprisingly easily in my first link attempt!  It almost felt like a slight let down to send it so quickly as I was expecting much more of a fight to get to the top – but really I’m completely chuffed!  I celebrated that evening and drank my 7a champagne (I even let Jase have a glass!).  

There's a video on Font Part 1 

Hopefully I’ve now broken the mental 7’s barrier and can manage to squeeze one or two more in before the end of the trip. 

A good day out...

I had a great day out on Saturday and sent two 7C's in the forest.  I think they're both soft, but they are awesome problems and it was great to get both in a day.

I went out in Franchard Isatis and Hautes Plaines with Duma, a friend from Bristol.  Duma was psyched to get on L'Arrache Coeur - a stunning, high roof/wall problem with the crux where it should be... at the end!  Duma disptached it fast and my ascent followed a few goes later.  It was great to send such a classic problem, with great moves and an exciting finale.

L'Arrache Coeur VIDEO

Buoyed with our success we moved on to Deau Faux Plis en Plat Reels an amazing 45 degree overhanging wall.  The boulder is an awesome disc shape and looks like a flying saucer that has crashed into the forest.  There are two distinct sloping ledges, which are big, but quite poor given the angle of the face.  I spent a little while working the moves and eventually devised a good sequence to do the final move.  This move had eluded me on a previous session, so it was good to finally work it out.  I had done all the moves and just had to link it...



Linking the problem proved difficult as I kept falling on the final flick to the lip.  I caught the lip many times, but kept dabbing the low ground behind.  After quite a few goes and some subtle refinement, I managed to stick the last move and keep my heel/toe cam in.

Deux Faux Plis en Plat Reels VIDEO

Alive and Kicking...!

Sorry for the lack of recent updates.  We are still in the beautiful forest around Fontainebleau, and climbing as much as the weather allows.  Claire has been sending quite a few 6's and is getting pretty close on a 7A - watch this space...!  I have been climbing lots of lower 7's and have recently had some good success on some 7C's  - details to follow soon...

The weather has been variable, however we have certainly managed to climb enough to tire our bodies and skin.  The super-bright LED lights have been used for many evening bouldering sessions too.

We met an a lovely couple - Rob and Veronica - who have been great fun to socialise and climb with.  They even have a 'Beastmaker' for those rainy days!  They're van is palatial (sorry Juan) compared to ours and I'm particularly jealous of the space to stand up straight.