Outdoor
Rock climbing, a sport for everyone
During the month of July, we went to the climbing area in Talloires-Montmin to meet with a small group of enthusiastic youths as they prepared for a day of climbing with Romain ISNART, a state-certified climbing instructor and co-manager of Monté Médio, a multi-activity base camp located in Angon that specializes in mountain sports (rock climbing, canyoning, via feratta).
This offered us a great opportunity to take the road that leads to Col de la Forclaz Pass, enjoying breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes along the way, including several vistas overlooking the lake, as well as an easy trail leading to the vertigo-inducing Angon Falls.
Through August 31 this summer, enjoy free fares on bus lines F1 and F2, the “mountain” bus lines that start from the center of Talloires. Check out the timetables for the area’s buses.
“This is an ideal spot for beginners and to learn how to climb outside,” the instructor explains.
“It’s a small crag barely over 10 meters high with around twenty routes that range in difficulty from 3 to 5. The variety offers everyone the chance, whatever their experience, to climb something suited to their ability level and to progress at their own pace. The limestone rock has a lot of deep pockets and jugs, ideal for beginners to grab onto. Access to the top of the cliff to set top ropes is easy, and the protection bolts are placed close together, an ideal configuration to safely learn to lead climb. The cliff is located in the shade in a forest, which translates to a great climbing experience and a relaxing place to picnic and stay cool. Along with the Bois Brûlé climbing area on Mt. Semnoz, where we also often take groups, this is one of our favorite places for beginner classes,” he adds.
The group consists of eight teenagers with a friendly, relaxed atmosphere where everyone helps each other out.
Most of them have already climbed before, usually in a climbing gym: a growing trend that makes it easy to climb all year round. Annecy and the surrounding area have several great gyms to choose from.
© Monté Médio
Every ascent is a new adventure
Climbing outdoors, all the way to the top of a route up a cliff provides a unique sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that simply does not exist when climbing a gym on an indoor wall. And our group of budding climbers wholeheartedly agrees.
The group shows a passion for climbing, paying close attention to every tip provided by their instructor, and always keen to learn the right moves.
They talk freely about the how climbing outdoors makes them feel: “the satisfaction of having accomplished something that seems insurmountable,” for one of them; “the feeling of freedom and the impression that you’re king of the world when you reach the top,” for another; “the feeling of the cool rock in your hands;” “learning to trust your partner helps to overcome your fear;” “working together;” “the challenge of moving from hold to hold;” “being in direct contact with nature.” Their very specific replies flow quickly and with surprising maturity, describing exactly what they feel in the moment.
The feeling of adventure and exploration is ever present.
© Monté Médio
The physical and mental demands, stress management, and the sense of accomplishment represent a few of the many benefits that rock climbing has to offer. The sport has grown significantly in popularity over the past few years.
“Nevertheless, rock climbing outdoors should not be taken lightly, and transitioning from the gym to the crag requires taking the time to learn the right climbing and safety techniques. Knowing how to belay and the other important aspects of staying safe represent the minimum for climbing outdoors and it is more than highly recommended that you contact a professional when you first start.”
The half-day or all-day group or private lessons, outings to climb multi-pitch routes, and multi-day courses provide a variety of options for everyone to select what works best for their situation.
Monté Médio, Inax Aventure, Bureau des Guides d’Annecy (Annecy Guide Service), UCPA Vitam, and La Crique for young kids, all offer excellent instruction and the climbing course best suited for your needs.
© Monté Médio
A new bouldering gym in Saint-Jorioz
Located at the La Crique recreation center, right next to the lake and Criq’Parc, the bouldering gym Le Criq’Bloc offers an indoor climbing experience for all levels, starting as young as 4 years old.
Enjoy the full bouldering experience. Bouldering is a type of climbing on low walls that does not require the use of a rope.
© Criq'Bloc
Understanding climbing route difficulty ratings
In rock climbing, ratings indicate the level of difficulty for a route or the hardest series of moves on a route, and start in France at 3 for the easiest routes, rising all the way to 9 for the hardest routes to date. Only a small handful of climbers have ever successfully climbed 9b+.
A route rated 3a is very easy; a route rate 6c+ is more difficult than a route rated 6c, but less difficult than a route rated 7a. A route rated 9b+ is set for the world’s best, strongest climbers.
Another story
Copyright:
- © Monté Médio
Journalist: Aude Pollet Thiollier
Translation: Darin Reisman