La Pyramid, Orco - Granite Crack Climbing Induction

Lots of sad faces in camp this morning as the forecast blue skies failed to turn up. After a misty and slightly damp breakfast we decided to head down the valley in seach of warmer temperatures (camp is at 1500m), and were duly rewarded for our efforts. We only drove a few kilometres, but the drop in altitude was notable by the dry ground and pleasant temperature when we got out of the car. 

We'd gone to climb a rock known as La Pyrimid. There were some more ammeanable angled climbs there that suited our style, and were described as 'a good introduction to the valley'.

We climbed a route called 'Fessura per P.A', which after some brutish hand jamming to get off the ground, gave us several nice pitches of 4b/4a in the sunshine. We did feel a little smug, as you could see from the top, that higher up the valley (where the campsite was) was filled with dark clouds all day! The belays were bolted by the climbing required trad protection, as the few bolts that existed had been hammered flat or removed. To be fair, there were tonnes of cracks and gear placements, so the bolts weren't really needed. From the top we abseiled 60m down to a stance and climbed another route called 'Legolas' (5a,4a,4a).

After completing a few routes, we abseiled back to the ground and rather than return to a cold, misty campsite, we got the blanket out and cooked up dinner by the boulders in the meadow. Blue skies and nice sunset colours on the hills (except for the direction of camp!) Very tranquil!..