Happy Easter from France! We've just spent a few days rock climbing above the village of Orpierre in the south of France. We arrived on a beautiful warm day in Marsaille. From there it's less that two hours drive north to the cliffs of our choice - on the way we also passed plenty of good looking ones!
Our home has been this cosy little caravan in the campsite just a few Kms past the village of Orpierre. It's in a field in a very quiet valley. Once the sun had set, we spent a while looking at the stars - I've not seen them so bright in ages!
After the blue sky arrival, we had a pretty damp time exploring the medieval village and it's tiny streets the next day.
We optimistically hiked up past the crags, but the rain was setting it, so we beat a retreat back to the van and got some coffee and cards on the go instead!
Having arrived in France to a barmy 18 degrees, it was quite a shock to have night time temperatures of only just above freezing. The next morning at the crag it was only 4.5!
We climbed a great three pitch route and shared the belay jacket along the way! (Thanks Tim for the loan!). The climbing was great, but it took awhile to get warm enough to feel my fingers. Once a bit of sun broke though, the climbing felt much better!!
We climbed a few routes on the big slab of Bellaric. All were quality, with some great pocket pulling and a surprisingly steep top pitch.
We topped out on one route which was great. We sat a while to soak up the scene.
Then abseiled down for more if the same...
Eventually it was time to leave the valley climbing (and the caravan!) and make the drive north to our next adventure - ski touring.... By evening, this was the view from our balcony...
Orpierre:
- Tropique du Capricorne 5,5,5***
- Violence et Passion 5,6a**
- Andre-Aline Shoot 5,5+**
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