[Steve R]

got the opportunity of a cheap trip for month or so to this area july/august time.  I'm not scared of a bit of heat and sun and whilst I've seen targason banded around as a year round venue, I'm just wondering if it is, really?  I'm sure peak grit could be described as year round, but that's not to say bouldering on sun drenched grit with the temperature up in the 20's is an altogether fun way to spend your time.  Just looking for thoughts on a visit this time of year and for the area in general really - intend doing a mix of bouldering/trad/sport.  Other option is to do more or less the same but stay in the uk......

(problems/crags/routes recommendations request to follow)
cheers

[Steve R]

well, I'm off on monday anyway.  So, any recommendations for problems 7a-7c sort of range, bearing in mind conditions or lack there of?!  Greg C gives a little list in this article: http://blog.rockrun.com/2007/06/article-targasonne_9391.html but more good stuff at easier end of the range would be good.
cheers

[webbo]

steve
bobs been a couple of times in summer and although he did a fair amount of climbing.it was a case of early mornings or evenings as anything in the sun was abit of a no,no.i think the first topo he got didn't have many areas/problems.i think he got a better one the last time he went.i'm probably seeing him on sat so i'll try and get a bit more info.
i think ferret who posts on here for time to time has been alot.do you have any contact details for scott or andy jennings cos they've been as well.

[Dolly]

I went at the start of June a few years ago.
Its too hot in the sun in the middle of the day as you'd expect.
Having said that there are plenty of places in the shade which are fine earlier on.
I seem to remember that the biggest sector (sorry am rubbish with names, but I'll recognise it if you post it) had plenty of great stuff to go at which was shady enough.

[clm]

I went in August and it was fine in the shade.  i didnt have proper blazing weather thought.  it is quite high so you dont get full on temperatures.  the one sunny day still stayed reasonable in the shade.  you can get the guide in the local town (next one east - cant remember the name) and though expensive i thouhgt it worth it.  the climbing is not terrible slopey and even cleaned sections that look like a slope tend to have a 2p edge rat crimp in the middle so temp is not as much of a factor as it can be on say grit.  its a lovelyt place - youll have a top time.  let us know what you think of the grades.  id say decidedly stiff.

[John Gillott]

I seem to remember that the biggest sector (sorry am rubbish with names, but I'll recognise it if you post it) had plenty of great stuff to go at which was shady enough.

Secteur Themis?

[Dolly]

Secteur Themis?

Yep I think that's the one.
There's plenty of shady stuff there.

Here's a pic  of me (that Mark altered in Photoshop to reduce the size of my head for some reason) on something overhanging and crimpy at Secteur Themis that was still possible in on a hot day cos we were in the shade. I can't find the original image.



There's good stuff at Chaos de Targasonne in the shade as well

[Dolly]

Sorry - meant to do this...

[Steve R]

thanks all for the replies, glad to hear stuff's feasible in the right spots at the right times.  looks like the guide is available in the local towns and camp sites so will pick one up once there.  Does the guide give info on sector & problem quality or is it just a topo style guide?  Just wondering as have been checking out http://targabloc.apinc.org/targabloc/home.html and there seem to be rather a lot of boulders...... so will try and do some more research so i know where to start if it is just a topo guide...
cheers
ps. sos to any frenchies offended by my american spelling of targasonne

[John Gillott]

Does the guide give info on sector & problem quality or is it just a topo style guide?

It's a topo-style guide but there is some info on the sectors and the problems are given star ratings. There are plenty of photo as well.