Ailefroide ... The bouldering looks ace.
Quote from: shark on August 12, 2013, 10:13:22 amAilefroide ... The bouldering looks ace.Indeed it does, although we were mostly focused on multipitch routes on our visit two weeks ago. The bouldering sectors are quite scattered and, apart from the obvious and crowded roadside bits, not entirely easy to find so you'll need the local topo, which is available in both the gear shops in Ailefroide.If you fancy a spot of sport climbing, at grades that will be entirely relaxed for you (up to around 7b or so) Secteur Gorges on the left hand side of the Fissue d'Ailefroide crag is good - steep juggy granite for a change instead of slabby granite - and in the shade in the afternoon. There are also harder sport sectors, including supposedly France's first 8a+ put up in the early 80s by one Edlinger, P.For really spectacular mountain scenery you need to drive up to the head of the Ailefroide valley and go for a walk towards the Glacier Noir or Glacier Blanc. Our attempt to do a route up there failed miserably due to the classic error of climbing at UK cragging tempo on a 15-pitch alpine route, but as a day day out it was totally worth it for the views.
Quote from: shark on August 12, 2013, 10:13:22 amAilefroide ... The bouldering looks ace.The bouldering sectors are quite scattered and, apart from the obvious and crowded roadside bits, not entirely easy to find so you'll need the local topo, which is available in both the gear shops in Ailefroide.
If you fancy a spot of sport climbing, at grades that will be entirely relaxed for you (up to around 7b or so) Secteur Gorges on the left hand side of the Fissue d'Ailefroide crag is good - steep juggy granite for a change instead of slabby granite - and in the shade in the afternoon.
Ailefroide is great. Aside from the climbing, it's a very pleasant place to be....
Resurrected this to ask two things:First, if anyone has been bouldering in August there. A quick look at 8a.nu shows loads of ascents in August so I'm assuming it's decent enough conditions then.Second, if anyone has a guide kicking about they would be happy to scan / photo / pass on. Thanks
Quote from: honroid on February 12, 2022, 10:10:15 pmResurrected this to ask two things:First, if anyone has been bouldering in August there. A quick look at 8a.nu shows loads of ascents in August so I'm assuming it's decent enough conditions then.Second, if anyone has a guide kicking about they would be happy to scan / photo / pass on. ThanksWe’re planning on this area for summer too so will update this as we get more info
Quote from: Wood FT on February 13, 2022, 07:55:38 amQuote from: honroid on February 12, 2022, 10:10:15 pmResurrected this to ask two things:First, if anyone has been bouldering in August there. A quick look at 8a.nu shows loads of ascents in August so I'm assuming it's decent enough conditions then.Second, if anyone has a guide kicking about they would be happy to scan / photo / pass on. ThanksWe’re planning on this area for summer too so will update this as we get more infoI bouldered in Ailefroid in the summer years ago, I vaguely remember that it was pretty warm and humid, but ok for about font 7a. Slick granite edges and a few crystally crimps with the odd sloper. Some good problems but not amazing. The quality of the sport climbing is probably quite a lot better if you pick your crags.
I'll keep you posted guy, but we might head out that way. Depends on how things are going with the new one. Currently she seems like a pretty easy going baby, but things change quickly as you know too well!
Bouldered there plenty in August - can be pretty hot in the day unsurprisingly but mornings and evenings are good!Don’t have the guide I’m afraid.
I've been to Ailefroide in August. If you're prepared to drop your grade or climb early morning or late evening it's OK.The area classic seems to be Surprise du Chef. 7b in the guide but probably worth a plus.I thought the Via Ferratas nearby were great too.I've got the Topo des Blocs Ailefroide guide from 2015 - I don't know if there's a more recent one. I don't really want to part with it but I'm Sheffield based if you want to borrow it. I've also got the Cicerone guide that covers the Via Ferratas.