[J_duds]

Hi

We have a 2 week trip planned in mid Nov, my partners work dictates the dates!

We were thinking of either bouldering in Swizterland: Chironico, Cresciano or Brione? Or possibly sport climbing in south of France (e.g. Calanques) or Avignon area (e.g. Saint Leger or Buoux or Seynes). 

I think we may need to be flexible on climbing type and location depending on the conditions nearer the time.

BHas anyone experience of climbing in these places or in Europe in late November, what are the conditions like and where do you recommend?

Cheers
John

[Jim]

In swiss, the weather when I have been has always been excellent

[J_duds]

that sounds good news then, where did you climb?

[andyd]

I went to Cresciano and Brione in the last week of October. A little warm in the sun but good enough. I would imagine that the end of Nov will be sweet.

[Nibile]

Where: Switzerland.
What: bouldering.
No brainer.

[Jim]

Chironico, cristianof and brioni. magic wood, usually too much snow

[J_duds]

Ok all sounds good in switzerland. Thanks guys.

Has anymore been in france at this time of year?

[Paul B]

No, but I've been to Calanques. Its really picturesque but the climbing didn't really blow me away.

[J_duds]

So What was wrong with the climbing in calanque?

[Paul B]

Absolutely nothing, its just not all that exciting. We mainly stuck to the multi-pitch offerings as it was intended as a way of us speeding-the-hell-up for bigger things later that year, so you might get more out of the steeper single-pitch crags (although from memory one was better than the others).

I also found the surrounding town of La Ciotat to be fairly tired and seeing someone with leather gloves on trying car handles didn't leave me with much confidence either (its painfully close to Marseilles in this respect).

[J_duds]

Oh!
I think calanques has just dropped down the list of potentials.

[Paul B]

Oh!
I think calanques has just dropped down the list of potentials.

I should probably point out that a lot of people think that I can be quite negative towards destinations; I was lucky enough to sample a lot of Europe's best offerings and thus I compare the quality of such places (e.g. Calanques) against the best it (Europe) has to offer.

What were you hoping it to be like? Maybe I can then answer in a truly objective way.

[ianv]

November is the wettest month in the south of France so pick somewhere with some overhangs just in case.

Things may have developed in the last few years but, I was unimpressed with the calanques as well. I much preferred boux and cimei. 

[SA Chris]

Are you driving? Calanques is a bloody long way and you will be going past tons of good climbing to get there.

If you are both totally flexible as to where you go and not planning on doing anything other than booking a ferry I would wait until you get a reasonable idea of long term weather around that time and then plan from there.

[J_duds]

Yes will be driving, with the van, so we are just booking a ferry and getting insurance, the rest is unplanned.

Which other crags will we be passing that may be in condition in late Nov?  Are they around haute provence / Avignon or am I missing somewhere on the way in France?

Also where is Cimei (googled it and cant see any reference to climbing)?

Paul - I think with sport climbing then some nice euro style routes (not necessarily long and pump) is what we would aim for, I like Siurana, Marglef, Gorge du Tarn, Saint Leger (Orpiere was ok for 1 day!).  Also like Frankenjura but have only been in summer.

[tomtom]

Word.

[SA Chris]

Also where is Cimei (googled it and cant see any reference to climbing)?

I think it's Cimai, not Cimei.

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=2062

As far as french sport climbing goes I always fancied checking out Russan

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=2055

But I doubt I will ever be bother getting the fitness need to do it justice.

and Claret

http://www.ukclimbing.com/logbook/crag.php?id=2067

Volx, Buoux, Sisteron, Ceuse are all pretty close together and would give you a choice of alternatives based on conditions.

As far as stuff on the way goes, here are quite a few crags located around Dijon, but I've not been to them so no idea if they cut the mustard (sorry). Might be useful for breaking up journey though.

[abarro81]

Volx, Buoux, Sisteron, Ceuse are all pretty close together and would give you a choice of alternatives based on conditions.

Not to mention St Leger and Venasque (and Lourmarin if you don't mind the risk of a fine). Few hours to Seynes/Tarn/Cantobre/Boffi/Jonte too.

Never been in that region in November but I guess it might be a bit of a risk with rain. Presumably Volx would be climbable in pretty much any conditions though? (does it seep if it rains lots and lots?)

[SA Chris]

Not to mention St Leger and Venasque (and Lourmarin if you don't mind the risk of a fine). Few hours to Seynes/Tarn/Cantobre/Boffi/Jonte too.

True, a veritable smorgasbord. I guess if it does rain a lot you can always blast further south.

[J_duds]

Thanks all for the posts - It seems that are many possible venues for a trip in late Nov, we may have to choose nearer the time depending on conditions and weather forecast.
Does anyone know of any possible all weather venues if the weather does crap out, such as Volx as noted by abarro?

[Paul B]

Thanks all for the posts - It seems that are many possible venues for a trip in late Nov, we may have to choose nearer the time depending on conditions and weather forecast.
Does anyone know of any possible all weather venues if the weather does crap out, such as Volx as noted by abarro?

sector Hulk at the Verdon but it could be chilly.

The Grand Toit at Gorges du Tarn

[abarro81]

Hulk might be a seepage risk I'd have thought?

[ianv]

Yep its Cimai   

That UK Climbing page does not do it justice, way more routes than 22, and plenty above 8a.

Never been in that region in November but I guess it might be a bit of a risk with rain

November is the Med rainy season unfortunately 

[slackline]

Last couple of years me and friends have been to Mallorca and Sardinia early November and had a great time (Sardinia in particular was brilliant, so good its where we've been twice out of the last three years).

[jwi]

Yep its Cimai   

Cimaï actually.