With Alwine and Amandine, I head to the Calanques for their first multi-pitch climb: after the rain, sunshine and the Saphir ridge await us at En-Vau.
Alwine and Amandine have come to discover the joys of outdoor climbing in the south of France.
Day 1 — Ropework practice… in the car
Unfortunately, the weather window promised by our forecasting oracles never arrives. After going over a few ropework techniques in the car, we call it a day… Arrghh.
Day 2 — A first multi-pitch climb on the Saphir at En-Vau
The next day, the sun is out — and so is the mistral! We head for the sheltered calanque of En-Vau. We leave the Gardiole wrapped up warmly, and I can sense the girls wondering about the cold! But the beauty of the surroundings soon puts those doubts to rest, and we stride towards En-Vau.
Arriving at the calanque is a magical moment. Around a bend, just when we’ve stopped expecting it: the sea! And the sunshine! One layer comes off, then another, until we’re down to T-shirts! Magic!
We don’t have to go far to find our climbing happiness. The Saphir, so often draped with clusters of climbers, is ours alone today.
After a little warm-up on the Aiguillon, we set off up this lovely little ridge: the girls’ first multi-pitch route and almost their first encounter with real rock. The real stuff, not plastic…
The Saphir is the first ridge, the one directly above the beach, with the deep blue sea as a backdrop. There are worse settings for a first climb!
Practical Info / Route Topo
Day 1 — Rain puts climbing on hold
- The hoped-for weather window never arrives. With Alwine and Amandine, we go over a few ropework techniques in the car before giving up on climbing for the day.
Day 2 — Discovering the Saphir at En-Vau
- Sheltered from the mistral, we find sunshine at En-Vau. After warming up on the Aiguillon, Alwine and Amandine enjoy their first multi-pitch climb on the Saphir ridge, above the beach.
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