My schedule of classes, luckily for me, leaves my Thursdays and Fridays free. I have three days of school then 4 days of weekend, essentially. It's pretty crazy and I would never have expected things to work out so perfectly. It's marvellous.
On Tuesday, my friend Adam from Poland suggested the idea of visiting Nice and how we had some friends going. . . .and that Ceuse was on the way and half the distance. If you don't know, Ceuse Mountain is a world-renown limestone sport climbing crag 3 kilometers long in the south of France. It is host to some of the hardest routes and has vast expanses of unclimbed rock waiting for those prepared to take the world of climbing to the next level. . .
Well, I was decided on going before he was. As soon as he uttered the word "Ceuse" I knew what I was doing this weekend. I posted on several different facebook groups I am a part of and asked if anyone had a car and wanted to drive. Well, on Wednesday, I got a message. . . and we were going!! Adam, my friend Isabelle from Germany, and I were hoppin' in the car with Ania, also from Poland!
Le Tour Perret in Parc Paul Mistral |
Thursday evening involved watching football (the European kind) and hanging out at Parc Paul Mistral!
Friday was a rest day and, to my memory, was deliberately uneventful, save for preparation for. . . .
:D The WEEEEKEEEEEND!!!! :D
Yea! YEa! YEA! Saturday morning. I woke up to Travel by Lotus and was ready. I was stoked. I was so. freakin'. hyped! I just couldn't believe I was about to hope in a car to one of France's and the world's best rock climbing areas. I just couldn't believe it. And off I went!
The drive down was really fun and involved playing with knots and carabiners in the back seat while checking out the beautiful landscapes and cities on our route. The first time we saw it, the wall. . .I was amazed. It was a beautiful, perfectly smooth-looking wall which circumvented a tall, majestic mountain.
First view of Ceuse Mountain |
Getting closer! |
Making it up the mountain! |
The climbing was fantastic. I lead first a 6a called Le Petit Monstre. It was a technical slab climb and a stout introduction to Ceuse grading. Pretty fun and mentally challenging route for me. My friends got warmed up on some top rope action and all, after some work, got the send! I next moved to another 6a, Carte Noire, a very classic, technical Ceuse line. I just couldn't believe what I was climbing, honestly. The moves were beautiful. There were four bolts of over-hung pocket pulling (move fast) which led to 6-7 more bolts on a wonderfully featured just-under-vertical wall. While climbing this route I was overcome by. . .peace. I just danced, felt, and was. The holds were small and sharp, the feet were solid and abundant, the view and exposure was unbelievable, and it just. . .felt so damn good!! I think this is my favorite pitch
(of about 40!) that I've done in France, so far.
First time taking on-the-rock pics for me |
Isabelle following Carte Noir, 6a |
After, I got an a 6a+ Papyrus, another classic. It was great, the same rock and even smaller, cooler feeling holds. The beginning over-hung section was fantastic. Moving into the face above I got caught up in a funky sequence, pumped out, and blew my send. Afterwards, I cruised the rest of the beautiful line, and loved it as well. There's just something about not sending a climb that messes with me and I certainly lose some satisfaction from it. The feeling of on-sighting a climb is very magical to me, and it is a shame to lose that one opportunity for the feeling. I try now to replace that dissatisfaction with a new fire to return for the send. I will be back.
This is the view from the anchor of Papyrus, 6a+ (5.10c) |
The day ended beautifully. We pulled the ropes and watched the sunset overtake the landscape as the first stars came out. Together, we hiked down the mountain in darkness with abundant laughter, sore bodies, and a feeling of awe as to what we experienced this day. . .Ceuse is a magical, beautiful place, and there is no doubt I will be back. Very soon. That night, the stars filled the sky like I've never seen. I suppose it is that way in the mountains, when one is so close to the sky. I truly saw the Milky Way for the first time and learned how to find the North Star using the Big Dipper. After the journey home, I fell asleep with a happy heart.
As the sun sets over the mountains. . . |
Sunday began with friends. Adam and Isabelle joined me for breakfast and we made French toast. And I'm talking like, legit style. We busted out the baguettes (French toast, right?), had vanilla-sugar and cinnamon, not to mention the real maple syrup we got. . .with coffee. Oh yeah. Breakfast was primo. As I like to say. . . "Un GRAND petit dejeuner." And with bellies full, we set off on the day's conquest. . .
Let's get hikin'! |
Two photos from the top. Notice the cloud line underneath us. . . |
The top of this mountain was amazing and offers the best view of the city I have seen thus far. Visibility was low today, as the valley had trapped a cloud in the city. Fortunately for us, we had hiked significantly higher than this cloud, and the view above it was fantastic. We stayed on the summit for maybe an hour, relaxing and snacking, taking in the view, snappin' selfies, seeing an antique car parade, and enjoying our company.
We followed the left-most ridge on the way up. |
"In Google we trust." |
Oh OK, that way! |
Yep, folks, that's how you have a hell of a weekend.
Much love,
Hy
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