After the adventures of yesterday we were looking for a more relaxed day today. We headed to the top of the Index chairlift.
It was a short, friendly walk to the base of Aiguillette de la Floria avoiding all the nasty boulder fields in the area that I particularly dislike. Working out the start of all the routes was proving tricky, but Tish and I thought we were ok setting off on our route, although we were not 100% certain which of two choices it actually was.
Pete and Ian had already set off so it was time to get going.
My first pitch was reasonably straightforward, although next to one of the bolts there had been a significant rock fall and much of the rock was friable.
As Tish led the next pitch she let out a little cry of distress above me – loose rock again causing the alarm.
Tish’s belay was directly under a massive corner – we now quickly realised accurately our location. We were not ready for 6a on loose rock so we beat a retreat.
Back at the bottom we reassessed the situation and set off up….Tish going first so that I could have a chance at some 5b leading. This time the climbing was a delight and a real jug feast at first. My 5b was lovely, although rather run out. I was particularly pleased to find one hidden bolt above a steep step that otherwise would have had a 20 foot run out.
Tish tackled the steep wall with commitment despite the pesky loose rock making a return. The final pitch just had one thought provoking section and then we were at the top. Brilliant and well in time for the lift!
I take it Pete has some replacement trousers 😳
Well, I must have bought all my trousers at the same time back in 2005 or thereabouts, as I’ve worn through the seat of two pairs of climbing strides in the past two weeks! So just before this trip Laetitia bought me the light weight trousers seen here. However these won’t do for less sunny locations – I’ll shiver to death. I’m gonna have to invest in another pair of middle weight trousers soon…
Why not buy two different pairs. You could have some climbing trousers (with a re-enforced rear end) and some approach trousers. Maybe you could get some sort of layered system for different temperatures with velcro attached over legs 💡
I found it interesting to see what my Mum got up to on holiday :star: I loved the first picture.
Your mum had the best of the weather apart from yesterday, so we went swimming – the water flume is brilliant!!! :star: :star:
It’s now gone even wetter and very cold :freeze: . The boys are doing more diy and I’m pretending to help 😀 😀 😀