Day 10: Perfect Conditions

As I was chopping some garlic and onion for dinner, Caro asked Miel: So which one is your favorite crag (amongst all those we visited)?

We've gone north, south, east and west of Connaux, so far!
See the pink House icon for reference :)

“Entrechaux and Gargantua,” Miel answered within 3 seconds.

Caro followed up: How much of your decision is due to the area being favorable to your climbing style?

Ah, these conversations. They are perfect for wrapping up over 1 week worth of climbing, including the last one today, having spent a full afternoon at the crag. Our fingers were worked, legs and toes beaten from hiking/biking/so much face climbing (well, at least, Miel and mine were!), and bodies finally getting a breather after battling wind and cold all afternoon.

I really liked the crag today, which answered Caro’s question. I enjoyed the long routes; the technical, face-climbing style with a range of hand and foot placements (nice assortment of little pockets and finger jams in all directions, and not perpetually pulling down on cracker-thin edges); and the sheer exposure.

The approach to north face of Les Dentelles de Montmirail.
25 minute hike up!

It was, for me, a good mix of what motivates me to climb: To behold the world from a point of view I’ve never seen before, and in a process (climbing a route) that runs for roughly 10-20 minutes, I’m able to witness vivid, internal dialogues between two sides of myself: The sluggish vs. the driven, the brave vs. coward, the care-free vs. the pragmatic.

During these short periods, I get to know myself a little better, and get to widen my comfort zone a teeny, tiny bit bigger. Add the unfamiliar weather condition as a factor, and I was kept at my limit the whole time, making the voices in my head louder.

And how excitingly, unfamiliar the weather was today! In a previous post I talked about the windy afternoon we spent at Gargantua, but today was at even higher intensities and prolonged periods. Because the crag was facing the north, it escaped sunlight the whole day, not giving the rock any chance of getting warm. The group had limited down jackets, so we had to share; whoever wasn’t climbing would have to lend his/hers to whoever was not climbing (or was belaying). At times when the wind got really strong, we ended up using the rope tarp/bag as a shield.

It was great lesson on my (our) low tolerance for gust and chill, and as James said, a fitting “warm-up” for what we would encounter in Chamonix (further up north of France) and in Switzerland, to which we were heading to the next couple of days. And in all seriousness, we were indeed lucky that the coldness was just exactly bearable, otherwise, we would have ruined a day’s worth of “perfect climbing conditions” for the whole group!

Always in the shade

Maximum cover

Everyone trying to catch the patch of sun down the trail

On the other hand, it was also a great lesson of how fantastic friction can be. This is the most I’ve climbed in cold weather, and I was pleasantly surprised how my fingers and rock shoes didn’t slip on nibs and edges that seemed too small to stay on to. There were a handful of moments when my hand would be numb, and I didn’t know if it was from the cold or from my pump, but I’d tell myself to keep crimping anyway. Many times, they would just stick.

Local crusher Coralie, demonstrating the old-school face climbing style

The night grew on and dinner topics evolved. How people handle break-ups differently, film recommendations for downloading, the awe for ultra-runners (because we just don’t have the patience for extended periods of suffering). At one point it was about how Miel and I became a couple (next topic, please). But I think we ended with guessing the countries of origin of chocolate manufacturing companies (Hershey’s, Cadbury, Nestle?)

Opinions varied and preferences ran at wide ranges of degrees. Despite the differences, I think we can agree on one thing: A home-cooked meal, paired with good wine and shared amongst friends, is the perfect condition for these kinds of conversations. And none of us would have preferred to end the day in any other way.

Day 4: Meeting Friends and Family

They’re just like you and me.

They have their time for work and a professional life to attend to. They have family they catch up with. They host dinners for friends, or go over to a mate’s house and be the guests. And, they have rest days for chilling and down times for watching Netflix.

Perhaps, what’s not so much like you and me, is how climbing is just so central to all of it.

Today was supposed to be a rest day, but because Coralie’s energy is so contagious (she is Caroline’s climbing student and overflowing with motivation), Miel and I joined her for a short morning session in James and Caro’s “woody”.

A woody is a climbing term for a (usually indoor) home gym, and Onceuponaclimb has a really good one in their attic. Probably around 25 square meters, it is heavily inclined, with all four walls meeting at the top for some solid roof climbing, and studded with moderately-open to downright-crimpy holds: Three circuits of 30-40 moves instantly gave us fat forearms.

Memorizing the 40 moves.

Over lunch, we found out that James and Caro would be going out for a short excursion in the mountains. Being assured that it would not be too tiring (it was supposed to be our rest day, after all!), Miel and I hopped into the car and found ourselves spending a pleasant afternoon with Caro’s dad, plus another friend and her little boy Hugo.

Car buddies

We went to Mejannes-le-Clap, somewhere northeast of Connaux. It is a sport climbing crag in itself, but we spent the hours crafting a mini adventure for Hugo: We crawled in and out of limestone tunnels. We abseiled (rapelled) from one tunnel exit that terminates in the middle of a rock, like a pipe with no cover and spewing contents out like a waterfall.

The tunnel's rappel exit

Just 5-10 meters away from these tunnels, a short Tyrolean traverse is setup on adjacent limestone towers. Apart from crossing through the free space on two fixed lines, one is invited to traverse around towers with your bare hands. And with nothing but openness and the wind blowing behind you, and seeing nothing but the rock, your tired hands, and 2 pairs of carabiners in front of you to protect your life – the traverse was both a heart-stopper and confidence-builder for little Hugo.

Hugo taking on the Tyrolean traverse, as Caroline assists

Chilling!

Back at the headquarters, James and Caro invited two friends over for dinner. Caro’s dad decided to stay on for the party, and setup the fire for grilling. We had wine, crostini and foie gras while doing dinner preps. The two friends brought their beautiful, big, white shepherd dog named Ever. The meal consisted of home-made fries, barbecued steak and sausages, and Caro’s steak tartare, which we enjoyed al fresco in their island patio, by the grill.

Fire-grilled steak

My first steak tartare ever!

Dinner wound down with everyone scurrying into the actual dining area, as the temperatures began to drop, and the even the locals putting on their jackets. They taught us about the “mistral”, a strong, cold, wind that affects the south of France. We learned about the guy’s occupation as a designer/builder of walls for homes and various structures. He, in fact, was the one who finished the bedroom where Miel and I are staying in.

Good nights were exchanged around 11:00 PM. After all, there was work the next day for the dinner guests. As for us, there was no question as to what was lined up in our schedule. We were looking forward to more hours of climbing together. The only thing to figure out was which area we would be visiting, and that’s a surprise for the following day.

Not Just A Hallmark Holiday

Wikepedia says:

"Hallmark holiday" is a term used predominantly in the United States to describe a holiday that is perceived to exist primarily for commercial purposes, rather than to commemorate a traditionally or historically significant event. The name comes from Hallmark Cards, a privately owned American company, that benefits from such manufactured events through sales of greeting cards and other items. 

The term came to mind as I was thinking of the recent get-togethers I had with friends. Bridal showers, bachelor's parties, baby showers -- these were occasions I never grew up hearing about, nor saw my parents or older siblings attending. Which somehow made me wonder whether they were deeply-rooted traditions with social or economic significance (at the time they were developed), or merely contemporary American events produced for the purpose of spending and showing off who has the best/most expensive gifts. 

But then came my own bridal shower(s). Suddenly I was going to be reason for holding that "hallmark holiday"; for celebrating that particular "occasion" which I never really saw as something that had to be celebrated. I hardly even bother to celebrate my own BIRTHday (save for throwing inuman parties with climbers, but it's usually a joint celebration, and we all kind of get lost in the drinking than actually give attention to the celebrant), then now, I was about to be put right under the spotlight for being (about to get) married. And it felt new and kind of awkward!

Fast forward to post-showers, though, and I of course was proven wrong. Like how I usually am proven wrong when it comes every other social occasion, mainly because my idea of "interacting" with another person is by being a productive work partner, complete with a schedule and end-goal. 

My showers -- all three of them! -- turned out really fun, and made me feel so much more special than any other medal or award I've received. The games, the surprises, the gifts were a mix of laugh-out-loud wacky and heartwarming-meaningful. The presence of friends who took the time out to join the "occasion", as awkward as the idea initially seemed to me, was more humbling than disconcerting. The laughter and merriment shared, even with new acquaintances (i.e., extended family, which Miel had a lot of), was like rainshower to our budding our friendships, helping to nourish and grow.

It was such a fun experience for me that I ended up pushing two other "showers" in the past 2 months: A Baby Shower for our HR Assistant, and a Bridal Shower for my good friend Nicole. And with a little (okay, LOTS) of help from Mr. Google, it was so easy to put together simple yet fun games for a small group of friends to enjoy. 

Ms. Angie's Bridal Shower.
Highlight: Chocolate poop in the diapers!

Coy's Bridal Shower.
Highlight: Coy's facial expression upon realizing Rio's "innocent" questions!

I still don't actually know where the idea of showers come from, but why should I care so much about the origin, really? Now I know they're great excuses to build friendships, to "equip" the celebrant in the next chapter of their lives (whether through emotional support or by providing material gifts), and to make them feel special. 

And it always feels good to make another person feel special.

Cheers to friendships, the Google, and the so-called Hallmark Holidays!