We tried our best to go climbing today, but in the end it just wasn't to be. There is a good looking crag high above the village of Gèdre. The only problem is that there is a 40 minute uphill hike to the base of the cliff. Having located the tiny gap in the forest that signified the start of the path, we went a short distance up before deciding that perhaps the most productive thing to do was retreat. The path was more or less vertical, although ropes had been put in place to offer some assistance. I don't know when someone last went up there, but it was a while ago. The tiny path was being taken back by invading brambles and spiders webs. We gave it a good go, but weren't convinced that the gains of climbing were worth the thorns, scratches and sweat of further upward battling!
Back at the van, Plan B was hatched, in the form of a second crag located above the village, but this time accessed mainly by road. What Guidebook didn't show was that the road went up to way over 2000m! The poor van wound its way up countless switch backs on an ever decreasing road, until we reached some picturesque meadows at the high point. There was no climbing to be seen but the views were the best yet.
It should have been a ten minute walk, but it was over half an hour before we found the crag. There were no paths, but the meadows were the most full of flowers I have ever seen! It was a stunning place and brimming with colour. The only thing it lacked was a path to a cliff!
In the end, we found the cliff, after literally wading through the flowers, but the climbs looked steep, un-appealing and with old looking bolts. We however were perfectly content with laying out the rug and soaking up the views over towards the Cirque du Gaverne and its huge waterfalls. We'd tried our best to climb, but sometimes things work out differently. In the end, it meant that we'd found a remote, secluded and brilliant place to chat, watch vultures and just look. Happy days really...
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