George Cave

Frison-Roche

I'd wanted to climb a route on this iconic, vertical face for a long time, and we had a perfect forecast for it on our final day in Chamonix. Not wanting to miss our flights home, Blackmore and I caught the very first bin up and raced down the track to ensure we were the first party to the starting belay.

Our haste paid off, and we had the route to ourselves in the glorious sunshine. Blackmore led the awkward chimney pitch, which left me to enjoy the wonderful final corner crack to the summit. Very cool climbing in an amazing situation.

Crakoukass

With L'index chair out of action we were limited to picking routes off of the Brévent. Matt and I made our way across the three buttresses of Crakoukass, all of which provide excellent climbing across a fine mix of puzzling moves. I had to french free the 6a/b crack, but of course Blackmore dispatched the moves with no real difficulty beneath me.

Voie Princesse

Another poor forecast that turned out to be quite a nice day after all! I introduced Matt to a bit of short-roping at the long, rambling routes up Les Mottets, aka taking our rope for a walk. After a quick transfer in to Vallorcine, we managed half a route before the downpour came.

Les Gaillands

Our first day in Chamonix, and a very mixed forecast, so we stuck to the bolted cragging at Les Gaillands.

A little crag at Bad Reichenhall

On an unassuming hill just south west of Bad Reichenhall, Al and I found a large cliff with a number of long, bolted lines including our choice for the morning: Die Schönheitskönigin von Schneizlreuth. With the exception of the detached, multi-storey flake which forms part of one belay, the climbing was excellent and a nice gentle end to a weekend of exceptional rock routes.

Platteneuphorie

SLAB EUPHORIA! A sweaty, two and a half hour morning approach to Hoher Nock was totally worth it for these incredible water-worn runnels. Bridging to glory for 180m with Al, Platteneuphorie fully delivered on its name.