The Verdon June 2011

1. La Demande- f6a. 300m. 12 pitches trad.

Us at the bottom early in the morning excited (and nervous) about our first Verdon route!

2. Alex on the second pitch.

3. Higher up on second pitch

4. Miss Hughes enjoying the exposure!

5. The view was good and the climbing was great.

Even though it was a little too traditional for me at times- and I thought I liked bridging and chimneys!!

6. We were pretty impressed with

the stunning positions we found ourselves in.

7. Alex enjoying (!) the last pitch.

It might've been f5+ but phew, you better have a bit of shuffling energy left.

8. Finally, we made it to the top.

A great way to spend your 24th birthday Alex. All we had to do was work out how to get back to our van...

9. Luna Bong- f6c. 6 pitches 150m

Me enjoying seconding a tough f6a, pitch 4.

9a.Tricky crack on Luna Bong

9b.Crack pitch on Luna Bong

It didn't get easier

Alex coming up Luna Bong

Alex on Durandal

Another vulture

Grasshopper

Grasshopper on my arm

It randomly leapt from the van onto me, it was a bit of a shock!

Me on Durandal

Our airy view

from a belay on Alix Punk du Vergon f7b

Serie Limitee f7a La Duc

We took this on our ab down after climbing the route. This is not far from the top and they are climbing the crux pitch.

Shady spot

Our pleasant nighttime site that served us well when it was baking weather.

Shoes

Did I dare take them off? Too right, my feet needed a break.

Tree

You can't climb at The Verdon and leave wothout taking about a million pictures of the incredible juniper trees. They act as great belay seats!

Vulture

Ze final Swim

Alex can't keep away from cold water but after climbing Alix Punk du Vergon, even I ventured in. A lovely way to end the trip.