I completed my first mini-tear through the forest, and have now sent some of the tempting classics of Bas Cuvier. I am so incredibly impressed with the way patience reveals the secrets of movement to sending Fontainebleau’s wonderful boulders! For La Berizina, I threw myself errantly at the first move five times, before stepping back, thinking, watching, and then pulling on and climbing easily to the top.
I hit my stride yesterday, and now with a couple of rest days, I can let my finger heal (the one I dropped a dresser on in Denver), finally visit Paris (cause I hear there’s cool shit there), and then turn my attention to the harder classics!
Note: During my mini-tear, I slightly damaged a classic bloc: L’Hypothese. Merde! This problem came rather easy to me. It is an angle I prefer. When I was topping out with my foot on the starting hold, a chip popped off the outside. The damage is minimal, but has potentially made the starting hold more delicate. Je suis désolé
L'Hypothese
If you watch closely in the video of the ascent on Modump you can see the chip pop off my right foot as I pull over the top of the boulder.
Another Note: Chris Schulte is a really good and excited climber. I spotted him on an impeccable ascent of Le Merveille yesterday. I am now fully inspired to complete this 4/5 star classic before I leave France! Video of Chris on the ascent will surface soon!
Nice Payne! Good shit there, eh? Still thinking bout coming over there sometime…where are you staying? Oh and since you like aretes so much you really should check out “Hotline” at Reine Crête Nord, classic!
Word, have fun man, I’m jealous!
By: J.W. on 02/09/2009
at 12:33 pm
I’m staying at the Ibis hotel in Melun. Fresh towels! Little do they know, some of those towels are being used on the rocks at Font.
You should really come out here. Checked out a wet Karma today, that thing is top of the list now!
By: charleslpayne on 02/09/2009
at 12:37 pm