Category: Bouldering

Sunset Bouldering at Baines Crag

A clear blue sky over Lancaster and its surrounding moorland was ideal for a return trip to an old favourite bouldering spot. It’s a quiet place that you’re likely to have all to yourself – a small, quarried gritstone outcrop with some fine problems and solos to be found amongst its broken buttresses.

The new van in its element.

Flip flops were falling off on the short walk to the crag and bare feet felt much better. Stepping onto the dry bracken, I could feel each crackle as my feet snapped its brittle stems.

Baines Crag

Cruising around on rough gritstone that sparkled in the sunlight, the friction was superb in the cold, crisp air. After removing the climbing shoes for some barefoot bouldering, I played with the camera before returning to the warmth of the van heater…

A short detour on the way back into town took me to Jubilee Tower for the last of a gorgeous sunset…

Sunset over Morecambe Bay from Jubilee Tower

It’s good to be back in this beautiful place.

Hillwalking and Bouldering on Clougha Pike

Col and I enjoyed a fine walk up Clougha Pike with great weather, gorgeous views and some great gritstone bouldering:

Lone boulder on Clougha Pike.

 

Barefoot bouldering.
Quiet little crag tucked away out of sight.
Gorgeous sunset.

Bouldering in Fontainebleau.

Andy, Raisha, Gordon, Donna, Phill and I caught the ferry from Dover to Dunkirk and drove to Fontainebleau for 3 days of fanstastic bouldering and 3 nights of camping around a fire.

Our first port of call was Bas Cuvier, where I was delighted to climb La Marie-Rose after many failed attempts last Easter. Here’s a video clip I found of a woman climbing the same problem.

Le Foret.
Walking through le Foret on the way to la Marie-Rose.
Andy on La Marie-Rose.
Andy on La Marie-Rose.

Day two took us to Roche aux Sabots, home of a wonderful blue circuit and some classic red test-pieces. Fontainebleau is a great place to get away from the numbers and simply follow a colour that gives you a rough idea of how hard the climbing might be. I had a great time playing barefoot on the blues and Phill got his feet connected later in the afternoon.

Phill on the first blue problem of the day.
Phill on the first blue problem of the day.
Raisha on the yellow circuit.
Raisha on the yellow circuit.
Phill barefoot on the blues.
Phill barefoot on the blues.

On day three we went to l’Elephant and I spent most of the morning working the problem of the same name after watching Gordon cruise up it. Maybe next time…

Bigger guns please!
On the Elephant - Bigger guns please!
A tiny crimp on a problem that captivated Andy and Phill.
A tiny crimp on a problem that captivated Andy and Phill.
A spot of slacklining when my arms were begging me to stop.
A spot of slacklining.

Our last night by the fire was great fun! Gathering wood and lighting a fire to sit around each night was just as rewarding as the climbing. On the final evening we played a few silly games, including this one with two empty bottles…

The strenuous journey back after leaving one bottle at full stretch.
Gordon making the strenuous journey back after leaving one bottle at full stretch.
Fire!
Fire!