:: Sport Climbing in France ::

July & August '02 in the 'Haute Alpes' & 'Provence'

:: for 5 1/2 weeks N Tait Oct 2002

More photos of french crags can be found
here

:: Crag :: Vertrieu (30km North east of Lyon)

:: 20m high, 60 routes from 3a -
7a

:: Route ? - F6a

A tricky F6a at a roadside crag nr Ambrieu (Lyon). Unusual blocky square edged limestone. Recently re-equipped. Drying out the tent after the rainy alps as well in the layby. many tourists going to the nearby rafting area and 'Grotte' (limestone cave) toot at you !


:: Crag :: 'Le Chapelue' - Guillestre/Queyras in the Ecrins/Durance

:: Routes - See guide 'Les Hautes Alpes Durance Area'

A fantastic sheet and sweep of rock right next to the road. But, the bridge has been swept away since I was last there in 1999. A pity, since there are some excellent F5s and F6s multi-pitchs, up to 150m long. Click on image to get a full size view.

 
:: Crag :: 'La Baume' - Sisteron in the Southern Durance / Provence

:: Routes ? - F5a > F8a

Climbers just visible inside in the shadow and a female belayer wearing a pink T shirt on the outer face. Click on image to get a full size view.



:: Crag :: 'La Baume' - Outer Face

:: Route ?
- Route F6b

A fantastic sheet and sweep of rock right next to the road. This is on the outer, slabbier face. Can get hot late afternoon. There are some excellent F5 & F6s multi-pitchs, up to 75m long. Wearing a helmet coz I ain't got a guide !



 
:: Crag :: 'La Baume' - Outer Face

:: Route ?
- Route F6b+

An exposed, delicate, fingery and pockety traverse which looks down into the inner overhanging crag, pretty scary when you climb it on-sight without a guide !


:: Crag :: 'La Baume' - Outer Face


:: Routes F5a > F8a
A cracked steep slabby piece of rock right next to the road. This is on the inner, slabbier face. Can get hot late afternoon. There are some excellent F5 & F6s multi-pitchs, up to 35/40m long. The rock is limestone but has smalle ripples and dimples on the harder routes and positive edges and layaway/layback cracks on the easier routes.


:: Crag :: 'La Baume' - Outer Face


:: Route 'Supercrack' F6b+::
A a very steep crack, this is on the inner, steep face. Climbed in the dry while waiting for the rain to stop. The left shot is the initial easier, just, start and the right photo is the harder crux near the top.

 

:: Crag :: 'Aillfroide' - In the Southern Ecrins


:: Route ??? grade about F6b/c ::
Climber Stashek Domisewski traversing round the lip of the boulder in the Volleyball grass area in the campsite.

 
 
:: Crag :: 'La Roche de Rame ' Embrun & Briancon in Val Durance
 
:: Route Cool N Wet F2 ::

Main rd between Embrun and Briancon in the Southern Durance A cool wee lake to swim in after climbing. Notice the bar and campsite in the background as well !



:: Further info ::

Guides, Transport, weather, camping etc to come...
All photos copyright S Tait 2002 www.cadteaching.com