Top rocks: bouldering in Fontainebleau, France . I haul myself over and stand up proudly, only to find a pair of French kids already sitting there enjoying the view. It. Climbers of all ages and abilities travel from around the world to visit this tranquil pine forest populated with impressively active French outdoorsy types and thousands of spectacular boulders, with no fewer than 2. Now, bouldering as a standalone sport is growing in popularity, appealing to those put off by the price of mountaineering equipment . And Font has become a must- visit destination for those who enjoy the climbing challenge but may have no interest whatsoever in tackling an actual mountain. The minimal kit requirements . Photograph: Alamy. The first . With crash pads strapped to our backs, we look like turtles with foam shells as we march from the car park into the maze of rocks and ferns. Following an obsessively detailed guidebook (see ) and the heiroglyph- like dashes of coloured paint on the boulders, denoting the various grades and types of route, we eventually reach a rock worth climbing ..
Fortunately the only disasters we experience are scratches, stubbed toes and bruised shins. For three days we roam around, spoilt for choice as to what to climb, using our guidebook to track down boulders with the best routes within our grade range, or simply those with unusual and appealing shapes. On the second day, in an attempt to find a particular spot at Apremont (technically only seven minutes walk from the car park) we end up on an accidental three- hour hike through the forest before we reach our destination, and the day after we find ourselves climbing in a dark, overgrown patch of scrub without another climber in sight. We even spot one elderly climber enjoying a cigar atop a rock. The real satisfaction of bouldering comes from figuring out how to complete a route . Crash pads can be hired from climbing shops in Fontainebleau, from about . It also has photographic maps of each boulder with routes marked, which makes climbing more straightforward . Eurotunnel fares from Folkestone to Calais start at . If costly gear or dizzying heights put you off rock climbing, bouldering could be for you. Will Coldwell gives it a go at the best place in the world for the sport, a region of rocky gorges just outside Paris. Anonymous Apr 11, 2016. Rating: Realy good shoes, especially on the rock than indoor! Thank you for the design and adjustments, which matches very well to the walls The reinforcement remains faithful to the foot for a good. Fontainebleau is about 3. The Boulder Bus from London to Fontainebleau costs . The Maisonbleau complex near Buthiers caters for climbers, with crash pads to hire and prices from . At the Haras de la Fontaine complex (france- gite- fontainebleau. Poligny, south of Nemours, prices start at . Campsites such as Camping Les Pres camping- grez- fontainebleau. Fontainebleau and Les Courtilles du Lido (les- courtilles- du- lido. Airbnb has a selection of budget accommodation in the town and forest, from about . As for safety, bouldering in Font is nothing like a climbing gym: the risk of falls should not be underestimated, and make sure you borrow a crash mat. Although you will be tempted to keep climbing, have a rest day after a couple of days to let your hands heal, and make sure you use good hand cream at the end of each session. The UWSP Climbing Wall is located within the Multi-Activity Center/indoor track of the Health Enhancement Center.
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