The Muscles from Brussels..

I can't remember how I got talked into a quick Autumn visit to Fontainebleau, or when I booked the flight, but what a fantastic idea.

Love this picture of Mr Giant Hands (me!)

'Muscles' on day 1

A recent thread on UKC had made me wonder if the forest had changed since my last 'proper' bouldering trip here over 10 years ago, it suggested that there was a high probability of being mugged, being arrested trying to sleep in the forest, and that the forest was destroyed, indeed on its knee's because of human waste pollution - luckily things weren't quite that dire!

My favourite picture - Dave was a little disappointed that the toadstool takes the attention!

So a quick flight from Manchester saw he quickly arrive in Paris where I was stuffed into the camper van and whisked off to the forest by the 'muscles from Brussels'.

The best problem we found - old /off circuit

Struggled to be flexible enough for this one!!

The weather was magical, crisp and cool at night, followed by sunny warm days. It was fairly busy as you would expect in half term, with many different nationalities enjoying the forest, but who can blame them.

Dave showed me some great spots due to his excellent local knowledge, and the routine of boulder for 3 hours or so, before a long lunch break at the van, then an afternoon session at another area worked well. Obviously finishing every day with beer and then wine!

We managed to go to 5-6 areas, all amazing, all slightly different. I particularly enjoyed Isatis, which had a magical feel to it, maybe because the rocks spread some distance into the wilder forest so you could always find a quieter area.

It was all made more beautiful because of the rich Autumn colours that coincided with our visit. The climbing is also brilliant and so unique. I soon got into the often delicate nature of the climbing, and appreciated the sloping and at times polished holds.

Isatis - red

Isatis - red

I wish I was still there sleeping near to the trees, waking up slightly chilled holding a hot coffee waiting for the sun to warm up the forest so that the dampness on the rocks was rubbed away, and you could start to lose yourself in the simplicity of climbing them.... Can't wait for next year to revisit this magical place.

CDG - waiting to fly home