Day 18: Beautiful Climbing

Shutting the windows before going out for our last day of climbing.
This is the color of their 12pm sunlight!

It was a beautiful day to go climbing.

The sun was out, but the temperature stayed within t-shirt weather. It was as if le Midi (as locals would call the “south of France”) was taunting us to rip our plane tickets apart and stay on for at least one more week. ‘Don’t go! Just a few more days…The weather is better now,’ it called to us. ‘You can hop on harder routes; friction is at its best!’

La Capelle, the sandstone bouldering spot that was 10 minutes away by car, felt like an enchanted forest. We had climbed in it almost two weeks ago, but this particular day, with a cooler breeze in our midst, the sunlight seemed to gently caress branches and leaves instead of ramming through them. The rock was cool and dry. With zero humidity, suddenly our skin stuck to them like hook-to-loop Velcro. Chalk dust danced in the air.

Or maybe I’m just being overdramatic because it’s our last day of climbing in France.

Oh, but what a good day of climbing it was. Surrounded by new and old friends, mostly our age group but also with one who is over 50 years old, we were able to try several boulder problems together, and even work on individual projects. La Capelle has a lot to offer regardless of one’s climbing level, and one doesn’t have to walk far to keep trying new lines.

Best of all, the landing is always flat!

Caro's 15-foot-ish warm-up

My version of warm-up ;)

Lucas sticking the one-hand dyno! (Angle not so good though, sorry!)

I was ecstatic to complete a high-ball, and it was awesome to watch Lucas – who doesn’t get to boulder very often – land a big dyno after attempting it several times. Miel and Caro challenged each other on friction-based problems, while Lucas and I had our skin grated working on an overhanging line that put our full body weight on the fingers.

Seriously squeezing out what we can from the trip, we continued our traditional climbing education by putting James’ lessons into practical application. Amazingly, La Capelle had this to offer as well: Entry-level trad routes with a few bolts, allowing trad newbies like us to practice placement of cams and nuts.

As if the entire experience wasn’t unique enough, we had a professional photographer in the group, documenting our fun afternoon!

Miel's trad climb gets some photos from Raf!

Before the day expired, we had to say our sad goodbyes to a couple of friends, including Raf and Seb. In the evening, we feasted on dinner prepared by the next-door neighbor pizzeria, as Caro and Lucas suggested things for us to do in Paris (our destination the following day).

We also mused where our next exploit can possibly be (maybe two years down the road...)

It truly is exciting when you let the mind wander and dream.

Just like how I let the images carry me away as I described La Capelle.

As “exaggerated” as it may sound, though, I honestly prefer to preserve my memory of this little bouldering gem – and the entire climbing experience in le Midi – in that manner: As a magical two weeks in my life where the discovery and friendship was all that mattered. A time when all senses were heightened, and I just soaked it all in.

Oh, what a beautiful gift you are to me, climbing.

You boulder, you. (Hindi siya nagpatapos. Huhu).

Sharing a La Sportiva video of James and Caro climbing in La Capelle. You judge the area for yourself! ;)