Font 2013: Part 3

Circuiting!  We went to Canche aux Merciers and attempted the "dificil plus" Blue Circuit.  Ingar and Mike were able to send all 44 problems.  

For those who are not familiar with the concept, circuits are a series of boulder problems linked together to create a circuit.  Initially, they were created so mountaineers could gain the necessary fitness to climb in the Alps.  Each problem has a number painted on the rock to designate where to go.

Conrad spent most of the afternoon snuggled in my jacket.  Here we are at Blue 25 on his 25th day.

Lyn on Blue 26.

After circuiting at Canche aux Merciers we headed over to Boissy aux Cailles to check out the water roof.  The area was a magic forest land where you half expected a gnome to pop out of a hollow tree.

Conrad practicing his snow angels in the pine needles, got to start somewhere.

Rebecca trying Bégnots Story by headlamp.

Conrad's first night session!

 Uncle Ingar practicing his "baby whispering" after our long day out.

The Paris to Nice bike race went through Larchant so we decided to check it out. 

It was fun to see the town folk come out of the woodwork to watch the spectacle.  Larchant is a bit like a ghost town.  In our trips to the boulangerie and driving here and there, you hardly see anybody.  

A break away of three riders came by first.  The main group eventually caught them and the guy in the orange jersey was hurting by the end of the race.

A break in the cycling action gave us time to do some laundry.  Très romantique.  The basilica of Saint Mathurin can be seen in the background.

The riders coming back though town a second time.

The next day we headed to Dame Jouanne and Maunoury.  We tried one of the classics of Fontainebleau: L' Anlge Parfait.  Technical and tall, you need to have precise footwork and mental focus.  Near the end of the session, I took a couple crazy tumblers when my foot slipped.

Ingar on a random problem high up on the hill at Maunoury.  It is amazing how many good boulders are scattered about the forests of Fontainebleau.

Can you find the baby at Petit Bois?  The Petit Bois climbing area is close by our gite and while it isn't very large, it has many classic problems - and the setting is idyllic.  

Here is Mike sending L'Œuf, 7b @ Petit Bois.  This problem is classic font: rounded slopey holds, tiny feet, and a tricky rounded topout.  After climbing at Petit Bois, we headed over to Boissy aux Cailles where Rebecca sent here project at the Water Roof. 

Mike leading the way with a solid send of Big Jim, 6c+ at Petit Bois.  I was able to follow Mike's lead and send as well - after taking the fall dynoing for the lip.  Scary.

-Raza