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More Summer Alpine/Ailefroide;- Sport climbing (outside of the mountain areas) and on a variety of rock types;- ‘Briancon Rock Climbs’ covers a range of crags just down the valley;-
Popular Crags in the Durance Valley, Hautes Alps
Crag Nearest Town Type of rock No. of Routes Max Height Grade range Best Season
Rocher Baron Briancon Quartz 60 20m F3 – F7c Spring
Plampinet Plampinet Limestone 90 40m F4c – F7b+ May to October
Mont Dauphin Fort Guillestre Conglomerate 75 40m F3c – F8a+ May to November
Ailefroide Vallouise Granite 160+ 400m F3 – F8b April to November
Fessourier Vallouise Limestone 34 40m F6a – F7c May to October
Clapeyto Arvieux Limestone 40 250m F4b – F6c May to October
La Grande Falaise Freissiniers Limestone 140 150m F5 – F8c March to November
Le Ponteil Champcella Limestone 60 200m F5c – F7c+ March to November
Les Traverses Vallouise Limestone 130 35m F4c – F8b+ All Year
Le Pouit Champcella Limestone 70 80m F4c – 7c+ All YearHey Jules, having completed several Alpine trips in them, I can vouch for the La Sportiva Evo S boots, though as with most things alpine its a case of horses for courses and there’s generally no one ideal all round solution;- the Evo’s make great approach boots on dry glaciers and rocky trails and climb o.k. on mid grade rock, though if you’re likely to be in soft snow etc they won’t be very warm, and on loose scree/ rocks maybe wont offer the foot protection you need to avoid bruised toes- the good thing about them is once being carried in your sac while wearing rock boots, you’ll hardly notice they’re there. I’m now on my second pair, despite finding the fit around the ankle a little loose, but if you want a boot that can cross over into steeper snow and ice etc, the North Face Verto’s are supposed to be good. Let me know if you’re still struggling for crampons.
Summary of Steve’s fundraiser ride; thanks to superb support from a cast of current and past members plus assorted guests and friends, I can report that our coast to coast ride was a resounding success with 140 miles and 3650 metres of ascent completed without incident and almost £2500 raised for Stroke charities;- thanks to all who helped or contributed in some way, though if you haven’t as yet done so, its not too late to donate online at; http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/SteveBowker
SteveI’m NOT going now, as I’ll have better opportunities to train for my coast to coast ride at home in the Peak, without contributing to the destruction of the planet.
SteveIs anyone else taking a bike up (roadie), and planning to cycle in the sun on Saturday? Sunday looks like a complete washout.
Stevesome winter gear and sleeping bag has now gone, but still got a quality North Face Point Five Proshell goretex jacket, O.R. alpine gaiters, Beal60m 8.6mm Cobra dry half rope in perfect nick, plus lots of hardware, email me for details.
Advance notice – February Lecture; on 4th Feb, Katy Whittaker will be our guest speaker-presenter at the Royal in Hayfield. Making history as only our second female presenter of recent times, Katy will be presenting on her life/ journey of climbing on the grit in her native Peak stomping ground. While living partially in the shadow of her brother in recent years, Katy has steadily progressed from her early break through to the British climbing team with her trademark silky smooth climbing style to ascents of Braille Trail, Knockin on Heaven’s Door(E9), Mecca (7c+) and China Crisis (8b+) in Spain. 8.30pm start as usual
Thursday 5th November lecture
Andy Houseman will be presenting on ‘Alpine Climbing in the Greater Ranges;’8.45pm start at the Royal. .Please come along and support this event.
SteveInterested; if I can procure a lift off some kind person! Curious as to why we’re not using the YMC hut a bit farther back down the valley though- its a real nice place, is easily accessible and the club have reciprocal rights with the YMC, though I suspect a lot of members don’t even know that as its never been widely advertised.
Steve
