Mediterranean Miscellany: Chamonix to the Calanques
Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:34 pm
The last few months that Liz have been here in Europe have been quite interesting. Upon her arrival, temps soared into the mid 60s in the Chamonix valley, proving problematic for the proto-springlike neige. Everything was quite shitty for about 6 weeks. Though this period provided us the rare mid-winter opportunity to get out and explore some unknown reaches, we yearned for some powder like the epic beginning of the season that we had so tactfully missed.
Anyway, the last two weeks have been quite the opposite. Torrential rains and daily 40 cm dumps down to the valley were defined by two weeks sans soleil. I wasn't complaining. The heavens would open sporatically, permitting a late-afternoon choke-fest down the Cosmiques Couloir or a few deep laps on the Grands Montets.
Liz shredding the Cosmiques.
But god damnit we're here to get tanned -n- jacked!
Liz and I enjoying a nice house party.
So, we decided to head down the special place known as les Calanques, just outside Marseille. Everytime I go to this place I blow a gasket. With the new topo out, we were able to explore some new (to us) zones including the fabled Cap Canaille and the legendary Castleviel.
En Vau. This view never gets old.
With a few bouts of cragging, sunset-wining, and rosemary-ing out of the way, we headed over to the route Eau et Vide, behind some of the classics of the En Vau channel.
First night in Calanques.
Only 5 pitches, Eau and vide climb provides sustained climbing at the low 10s for some enjoyable, yet slightly spaced-out sport climbing. Interesting crimpers following beautiful pocked faces and airy traverses topped this sea-side beauty. One you rap into this zone, you reach the aptly named ledge of no return. The only way is up.
Liz attacks the first pitch. Long, sustained, 6a.
Liz seconding on the 3rd pitch.
Paradis.
Upon our return, the skies cleared and provided us with two days of bluebird deep pow and zero lift lines in Verbier. I am not currently upset at this time.
Today.
Anyway, the last two weeks have been quite the opposite. Torrential rains and daily 40 cm dumps down to the valley were defined by two weeks sans soleil. I wasn't complaining. The heavens would open sporatically, permitting a late-afternoon choke-fest down the Cosmiques Couloir or a few deep laps on the Grands Montets.
Liz shredding the Cosmiques.
But god damnit we're here to get tanned -n- jacked!
Liz and I enjoying a nice house party.
So, we decided to head down the special place known as les Calanques, just outside Marseille. Everytime I go to this place I blow a gasket. With the new topo out, we were able to explore some new (to us) zones including the fabled Cap Canaille and the legendary Castleviel.
En Vau. This view never gets old.
With a few bouts of cragging, sunset-wining, and rosemary-ing out of the way, we headed over to the route Eau et Vide, behind some of the classics of the En Vau channel.
First night in Calanques.
Only 5 pitches, Eau and vide climb provides sustained climbing at the low 10s for some enjoyable, yet slightly spaced-out sport climbing. Interesting crimpers following beautiful pocked faces and airy traverses topped this sea-side beauty. One you rap into this zone, you reach the aptly named ledge of no return. The only way is up.
Liz attacks the first pitch. Long, sustained, 6a.
Liz seconding on the 3rd pitch.
Paradis.
Upon our return, the skies cleared and provided us with two days of bluebird deep pow and zero lift lines in Verbier. I am not currently upset at this time.
Today.