| 09.08.08
- PYRENEES AND AUVERGNE OUTINGS Back in France, at the end of a fantastic three weeks
tour, staying with friends in Bourgogne, Languedoc, the
Pyrenees and, now, the Auvergne. In the Pyrenees, Edmond
and I joined our Larkhall neighbours – the Mullet-Dohertys
– and local organic farmer Lee Wood on various gentle
rock climbs. Lee and I then spent a less gentle day (11
hours in the sun without food or water) on the
magnificent limestone cliff at Cier Guchon.
Lee Wood on Cier Guchon, Pyrenees
The route
was supposed to total 4 pitches at grade 6a; it turned
out to be 8 pitches up to 6c. Which is considerably
harder than I can climb. Lee led the escape on the final
full run-out – a bold performance on some very
overhanging and rather friable rock. We were clearly on
the wrong route, but it was a great adventure.
The Chaudefour valley, with the Crête de Coq on the left
and Dent de la Rancune on the right.
The best treat, though, was today’s climb with Edmond,
in the Auvergne’s beautiful Chaudefour valley.
Thirty-eight years ago I scrambled up the volcanic Crête
de Coq and looked across at its more dramatic neighbour
– La Dent de la Rancune.
Edmond nearing the top of the Dent.
Now I have finally climbed the
latter tower, seconded by Edmond, who is almost the same
age I was when I first saw it. He did a good job of
rope-handling as I dithered on the 6a+ crux and followed
it well himself.
The story of our climb will be appearing in the Daily
Telegraph ‘Weekend’ section some time in the autumn. |
