Outdoor rock climbing in France

In June, Bel and I decided that it was time to enrol in a rock climbing technique course at the local gym that we have been frequenting. The course was a basic introduction to a few key techniques and ran for 2 x 2 hours during the week after work, with a week gap in between so that you had time to practise what you had learned.

After finishing up the second night of the course, Björn, our climbing instructor, asked Bel and I if we wanted to head out with him on the weekend to France to try outdoor climbing. The opportunity was too good to pass up, so we piled into the car, picked up Björn and another girl in Mainz, and headed off to France.

Björn preparing the first climb

Buggered Bel brooding

The conquered crevice

All in all we had an awesome day, with us both learning a lot about keeping your balance, your center of gravity, and climbing up crevices. Both Bel and I left a little skin behind on the sand stone in France (the French national anthem says something about spilling the blood of their enemies on the fields of France...), and I had already left a sizable strip of shin-skin on the wall the night before in the gym, so after this weekend we looked like real pros. :)

Björn lead roping the crevice
The view from the top	Brushy preparing for a route that beat him

Thanks to Björn for taking us out, and hopefully we will get the chance to go again and experience climbing in the great outdoors.

Tschüß,
Brushy.