Just been reading about the re-opening of Buoux Ouest. Sounds brilliant. Does anyone know how to get hold of a topo of this sector, and anyone climbed there much and have any particularly good routes to rave about?
Also anybody know anything about Loumourin(sp?) being unbanned now?
It rather depends on what grade you climb at... but seconding Jasper, Territoire de Fièvre is a must (2 routes really, ~steepish 7a, technical 7b+). Left of it L'homme programme is 8a going on 7a (really overgraded). I always fancied first pitch of (but didn't make any progress on) Les Mains Sales 8a+, add in the 7c roof for the 8b tick. L'Empire des Sens further left toward the road always intrigued me (7c) but the classic 7a of the crag is the corner of Le Loir (The dormouse) which apparently lived in the large pocket on the crux. Never met it though..Face OuestForeground to back- think Dale's on Territoire, Chris Griffith on Elixir and unknown finshing crux of Le Loir. Nuit du Lezard on pillar just beyond, Les Mains Sales roof just visible up and behind that, Force Tranquille on pillar/slab beyond out of sight. I took the photo standing under L'Homme Pr. They all had names painted onto the rock btw, no doubt still do.Hi RichK, sorry not been in touch but been injured since Sept 09 in one form or another. Will recover eventually, and this point is for you too:March is when adders tend to wake after the winter. I'm told they sleep in nests so when they stir can be numerous. Was there years ago with Fatdoc and Ste Earnshaw and suddenly we noticed loads of adders underfoot. I hopped onto the old fence and nearly died of laughter (not venom) as they grappled with each other trying to escape. Honestly, very funny and no-one got bitten. When you go there I'd choose boots, not sandals. Just a thought.
I have a photo topo(JPEG) of the crag which has old & new routes on it. I'll post it here if someone can tell me how