Fontainebleau 2002

Fontainebleau Trip Report May 2002. (Simon Wood)

Twelve club members (plus a cast of hangers on) ventured to Fontainebleau for May bank holiday weekend.

A five o'clock start from Harrogate saw the road trip commence on the Friday evening. Nine hours later we were pitching tents somewhere in a French forest hoping it was in fact our intended campsite destination.

Daylight on Saturday saw the campsite truly take shape around Martin's 'Millennium dome'. The morning's grocery shop was somewhat extended when people realised the crazy French prices on all manner of outdoor toys. By mid afternoon fighting to shake off the channel tunnel lag we were ready for some heavyweight bouldering.

Roche de Potala in the Trois Pignon area was the day's venue. We started on the orange circuit which immediately sprung a few stoppers. Sarah decided to find the problem with the most uncomfortable landing then fall off. Kev, Neil and Martin amused themselves with the odd harder problem in between the orange ones. Everyone started to learn the style of climbing - use the feet, balance and grope blindly over the slopey finish.

Rain stopped play by mid afternoon and the beer possy -John, Stuart and Kate decided that it wasn't right to do all the boulders in the forest too quickly and retired to the beer car. The rest undaunted by a bit of water carried on climbing after what only amounted to a short shower.

A combination of orange and blue problems followed in all shapes and sizes.

Saturday evening was to be the culinary height of the trip unfortunately Martin and Sarah forgot they were in France and ordered Sausicce de lip and arsole. Several wretches later the waiter realised that there may be a slight problem and a lightly grilled steak was provided as well needed sustenance instead.