A Year in France

August 30, 2006

Chateauvert Update

Filed under: All, Chateauvert — ablack @ 3:16 pm

I wanted to update the blog with images of Chateauvert and the city of Marseille referenced in a below post. Just over an hour from Aix, Chateauvert looks to be our go-to crag for the next little while. Yesterday Todd unsighted a 7a+ that has a really famous dyno. The route came highly recommended and before climbing we speculated where the dyno was hidden. From the ground it was impossible to tell the size of the holds, and the line of chalk gave us no clue to where one would be forced to make the leap. Todd started climbing and as I belayed I was waiting in anticipation for him to dyno. Todd climbed carefully with the inevitable jump weighing heavy on his mind. About two thirds of the way up the route he paused and I shouted up to him,”did you find the dyno?” He crouched down and shouted back,”yup”, before uncoiling and launching himself upward. In dramatic style he snatched the jug with one arm and reeled himself into the wall. One of T’s proudest onsights!

Some of the images below are from the Notre Dame de la Garde which is massive church planted on the highest natural point in Marseille.

CLIMBING:

TRAVEL
- The Notre Dame de la Garde is the symbol of Marseille that offers impressive views of the city. The impressive architecture, free parking and free entrance makes it a must do no matter what your faith.

PHOTOGRAPHY
- Just picked up a digital point-and-shoot and honestly I don’t know how I have gone this long with out. I bought a Panasonic DMC-LX1 which so far has exceeded all expectations. Snapshots from the crag and the images from the deep water bouldering were all taken on this camera. Look for more from this camera soon!

Todd and Gui at ChateauvertAaron lowing off a route at ChateauvertThe Notre Dame de la Garde at twilight viewed from the Old Port of the city.The Virgin and her Child on top of the Notre Dame de la GardeInside the crypte of the Notre Dame de la Garde

August 16, 2006

Chateauvert

Filed under: All, Chateauvert — ablack @ 5:04 pm

Chateauvert

I visited the climbing area of Chateauvert yesterday which is french sport climbing at its finest. Each route has a plaque with it’s name glued to the rock, bolts are very close and the approach to the crag requires you to just exit your car. Unfortunately I was feeling sick with a bad headache. I grabbed one photo of my best friend over the last couple days. No tylenol in France only aspirin that comes in the form of a tablet that you dissolve in water before ingesting. After climbing Todd and I visited the town of Correns (3 km from the climbing area) that I would highly recommend as a quiet get away. Named the number one organic town in France this beautiful little town is a great place to eat.

Climbing
- Chateauvert: killer approach, season spring and fall, Free camping in the town of Barjois with free warm water.

Travel
- Correns is a classic small french town and was named the number one organic town in France.
- No tylenol in France only funny looking aspirin.

Photography
- when photographing tablets in water I would recommend suspending the tablet by an nearly invisible thread to allow the bubbles to activate for the photograph.

Aspirin in France

Blog at WordPress.com.