At last , climbs that actually have holds on them rather than crystals a few nanometers in depth.
After Colin and Susan crusied Motorhead , we figured it was time to get a bit higher and base ourselves at the Albert Heim hut and climb some of the big granite walls that surround the hut.
The hut is a great base with classics within 1.5 hours walk from the hut but we were a bit caught out with the approach to some of the routes that needed crampons so elected for less steep snow approaches that were just do able without crampons. There is a glut of unclimbed lines and anyone keen to make their mark could do a lot worse than stay up by the lakes and develop some of the crags around, all in a stunning setting.
We climbed 2 routes , Mangolyto and Via Amici, both stunners with varied climbing , amazing situations and good quality rock with in situ belays and abseil pistes. The weather stayed good , very hot and was just brewing up a storm as we headed back to the hut .
I’m already planning another trip back there for a long weekend if I can find anyone interested in perfect granite lines : )
After we got back to the valley , the forecast break to the stable weather duly arrived and it was back to the camp site , pitching the tent in the rain and mud before heading for the shelter of the lovely Thai restaurant in Oberwald with wifi to decide on the next plan of action. The weather over the whole of the Alps was terrible for the next week so options were either head far W to Toulouse or head N to Font. As Colin and Susan hadn’t climbed at the legendary Fontainebleau boulders and as it was also on the way home , we opted for Font and managed to get great lodgings at ‘The House’ in Tousson , run by Roo , a climber who set up the gite 4 years ago. If you want good , cheap accommodation and great beta on where to climb ,’ The house’ is perfect The House – a gite in Fontainebleau
There were already 4 girls staying at the Gite , don’t let their cute looks and young age mislead you , these girls crank hard and was an eye opener for Colin , Susan and I to spend a couple of days with them , nice one girls.
So , back to the UK , and just for a change weather here is as hot as France , well , almost .
Thanks for reading , Nadir