Category: Rock Climbing

Today, we are going to cross the north ridge of the Tournette with a dad and his 10-year-old son. The weather forecast is good and we meet at the Col de l'Aulp at 8:00 am. We check the equipment: harness, helmet, quickdraws and rope; everything is there. All we have to do is follow the steep path that takes us towards the Tournette. Shortly before the crossing that leads to the Tournette refuge, at a rocky spur, we leave the main path. I rope up our young climber to follow the steep path to the first rocks.     We now all have to rope up to tackle the easy climb, alternating between rocky outcrops and small paths in the grass. The whole team is doing well and we easily reach the ridge. The atmosphere changes and it is now the edge of the ridge that dominates, far below, the cirque des Varos. No apprehension for our young mountaineer who manages like a boss.     The ibex lying on the ledges do not seem disturbed by our presence. Climbing, downclimbing, crossing, the whole register of alpine races is represented here. A few "panorama" breaks and snacks later and we find ourselves at the top of the small abseil. 15m of descent on rope to reach the pass below skillfully negotiated by the roped party. We set off again and reach the summit that dominates the col des Varo.     The descent is a little more technical and you have to look carefully where to put your feet on this compact limestone rock of great beauty. It would take more than that to put our little family in difficulty! A few minutes later, we are at the end of the difficulties. A well-deserved picnic and we go down quietly

Today I have an appointment with a family for an introduction to rock climbing near Annecy. We meet at the Angon waterfall car park above Talloires where everyone collects their equipment: shoes, harness, helmet and ropes. I chose the Angon cliff because it is particularly suitable for children. Indeed, the cliff has very easy routes and the environment is safe with a large flat field at the foot of the cliff. Even if the routes are not very long, the limestone rock is very pretty and prized. In the 3a to 5c level there is really something to have fun with. A short 10-minute approach walk and here we are at work. The cliff is usually well frequented but today we are almost alone, it is perfect. I quickly put some ropes in place and the course begins. We have to train this little world in insurance and safe climbing. The adults are involved at first. Children each have their own pace depending on their apprehension and their "resourcefulness". We must adapt so that everyone has fun and vary the workshops. The session goes by quickly and it is with regret that we have to pack up the climbing equipment. Everyone is happy, the session went well!  

We just got back from three days of climbing on the beautiful Aravis limestone with Muriel, a Swiss climber who wanted to climb a few routes near Annecy. With a level of 5c-6a as a second, the idea was to choose routes that would allow her to gain confidence in lead climbing. On Monday we went to Le Grand Bornand, more precisely to the cliffs of Jalouvre which offer a nice assortment of routes in the 5th degree. We spent the morning reviewing the rope maneuvers necessary for climbing multi-pitch routes. In the afternoon, we climbed the "Lord Anglais" route, a 6-pitch route, 200m, max 5c side. An ibex that survived the -shameful- slaughter of last autumn (see here), naturally a little resentful towards the human species, having blocked our access to the previous route. The climbing was pleasant with varied styles, the last length, more difficult required a few passages in A0 to stay in the level. The rain caught us just after the abseils... Phew! On Tuesday, a visit to Le Sappey (30min from Annecy) was a must, the weather window seemed to be confirmed. A bucolic but sporty approach in the slippery mountain pastures allowed us to arrive well warmed up for the Sappeyrlipopette route with a variant in Entre deux Nants (6 pitches, 5C max). The first pitch was a bit wet but Muriel quickly took the lead. The rock is full of grooves, a local specialty where climbing in opposition, not usual in limestone slabs, takes on its full meaning. The rain in the last pitches added a bit of difficulty but we were able to reach the summit. A sometimes steep path allowed us to quickly descend to the start. On Wednesday, Speculum, a 5b route on the little-used cliff of La Rosière was