Happy New Year.

Happy New Year from the ClimbFrance Team.

Here’s hoping that 2009 brings you many days of safe and sunny climbing!

The Tour De France 2009 will be passing right by the ClimbFrance base in Provence on Saturday July 25th. If you would like to combine some cycling, climbing and watching this amazing event get in touch soon as accommodation is running out fast!

We have accommodation available in our self-catering holiday cottage as well as our guesthouse. For full details get in touch:

mailto:climbfrance@gmail.com

Happy cycling (and climbing)!

ClimbFrance has a new email address. For all correspondences please use

climbfrance@gmail.com

Our website will be fully updated with next season’s course dates as well as some new courses and holidays by Christmas.

For full details please visit: http://www.climbfrance.com/

Happy climbing!

Ollie Ryall

ClimbFrance instructor and all round climbing legend Alan Carne heads off to Yosemite this week to spend seven weeks in the valley.

Together with a strong French and American team, Alan’s main objective is to climb Free Rider (an entirely free version of the famous Salathe wall) with 36 pitches of climbing up to 7c+.

Alan has already made fast ascents of Salathe wall and the Nose on El Capitan but Free Rider represents a whole new degree of difficulty and commitment.

More about Alan and what he brings to the ClimbFrance coaching team can be found at: http://www.climbfrance.com/team.html

We all want to wish him the best of luck and hope for a safe return to France.

Ollie Ryall.

ClimbFrance and the environment.

ClimbFrance is committed to donating 1% of our annual sales to organisations directly involved in environmental protection and sustainable development.

For 2008 we have chosen to donate to the World Wildlife Fund. The WWF-UK aims to tackle global threats such as climate change, unsustainable consumption and pollution through research, education and direct action.

More information about the WWF-UK can be found at: http://www.wwf.org.uk/

Via Ferratas with ClimbFrance.

ClimbFrance provides guiding for Via Ferratas in the Buis Les Baronnies area and there are two options depending on exprience and ability.

The first is suitable for beginner's, children and families and has a great river below to cool off in afterwards. The second is more difficult and involves crossing a wire bridge 90m off the ground as well as a couple of abseils.

ClimbFrance can provide all the necessary equipment and both take about half a day to complete.

For more details about Via Ferratas or any of our rock climbing courses or holidays please visit: http://www.climbfrance.com or email us at mailto:climbing@climbfrance.com

There's nothing like starting young!

There’s nothing like starting young! Yesterday Isabel (8) and Mathilda (4) led their first routes at Ubrieux, Buis Les Baronnies. Mathilda even took a leader fall but bravely carried on to top out on the tricky grade 3.

The photos show them in action. Well done girls!

Ollie Ryall (Daddy).

Holiday accommodation in France.

Due to a late cancellation we now have two weeks available in our self-catering holiday cottage in Provence.

12th – 19th July.
19th – 26th July.

We can offer a discount of £50 off per week, making the total price £425 (including all bedding, towels and electricity)

The accommodation comfortably sleeps up to six people and is surrounded by some of France’s best rock climbing.

Full details can be found at: http://www.climbfrance.com/climbing_holiday.html

For more information or to make a booking contact us at: mailto:climbing@climbfrance.com

Congratulations to John Yates who accompanied us on a rare ascent of Natilik at Ceuse in SE France. John booked five days Private Guiding with ClimbFrance and although he hadn’t climbed outdoors for almost four years (apart from one day at Swanage), he managed to complete this tricky five pitch adventure route graded F6a (but feels much harder).

The photo shows a relieved John reaching the top after over four hours of climbing. Well done!

More details of our Private Guiding Service can be found at:

http://www.climbfrance.com

Beginner's Rock Climbing Holiday - New Dates.

Due to the success of our Beginner’s Climbing Holidays we will be adding a second week in September to cope with the extra demand.

The new dates are September 21st – 27th and full details can be seen at: http://www.climbfrance.com/climbing_course.html#beginner

The Beginner’s Climbing Holiday is suitable for climbers with little or no previous outdoor experience and is popular with climbers looking to move from indoor climbing walls to leading routes outside.

The cost for the week is £595 and includes all instruction, accommodation, meals, equipment and transport in France.

‘Would recommend the beginner’s course to any indoor climbers to inspire them to venture outdoors.’ J. Murray. Surrey.

‘We had a fantastic holiday and learnt a huge amount. I would definitely recommend ClimbFrance to anyone looking to start climbing outdoors’ Katie H. Brighton.

For more information contact ClimbFrance at: mailto:climbing@climbfrance.com or by calling 0033 475 265320

ClimbFrance - New phone number.

The new ClimbFrance office is now fully opperational and has a new contact phone number.

For all enquiries please use: 0033 475 265320.

If we are not in, it means we are climbing so please leave a message and we will call you back as soon as we can.

Safe climbing, Ollie Ryall.

Sports Climbing in Provence - New Dates.

Our Sports Climbing in Provence course (1-7 June) is fully booked so we will be running another course in May (11 - 17).

Full details for this course can be seen at: http://www.climbfrance.com/climbing_course.html#provence

For more information contact us at: mailto:climbing@climbfrance.com

Road Trip - New Dates.

The dates for our summer Road Trip have changed to June 28th – July 9th.

The trip will start in Grenoble and head down the Briancon Valley on the way to Ceuse, the Verdon Gorge and Annot. We will then return to Grenoble via Buis Les Baronnies.

Our Road Trip is a great opportunity to explore some of France’s finest climbing areas as well as improve techniques and learn new skills. Coaches on this year’s trip include Lucy Creamer, arguably the UK’s top female climber and highly experienced coach.

Full details can be found at: http://www.climbfrance.com/climbing_course.html#road

Your holiday photos.

Many thanks to everyone who sent us pictures from their holidays with ClimbFrance.

This picture was sent by Graham and Luke Perry who spent six days climbing around Buis les Baronnies last July. They did a mixture of single and multi-pitch climbing as well as sampling the towns market, bars and restaurants.

100 metres up and time to give Dad a hug!

Get out more!

At ClimbFrance we specialise in helping climbers make the move from indoor climbing walls to rock climbing outdoors.

Venturing outside for the first time can be daunting as well as dangerous if not done with the proper equipment, skills and knowledge.

Whether you choose one of our courses, holidays or private guiding, you are guaranteed the best instruction available as well as unrivaled value for money. Add to this the great atmosphere, beautiful weather and fine French food and you have the perfect holiday.

‘Would recommend the beginner’s course to any indoor climbers to inspire them to venture outdoors.’ J. Murray. Surrey.

‘We have thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and would recommend it to anyone who wants to make the transition from indoor to outdoor climbing.’ Chris H. Brighton.

For more information visit the ClimbFrance website or email climbing@climbfrance.com

Winter Sun.

The south of France is a great alternative to many popular winter climbing destinations and has lots of advantages, including:

• Perfect climbing conditions.


• Deserted crags.


• Great value for money accommodation.


• French food and drink!


• Easy low-cost travel links.

Climbfrance can provide transfers, private guiding and help organise accommodation. We can also provide an accurate long range weather forecast to help you plan your trip.

The temperature today at mid-day was 15 degrees and it is sunny with no wind. Climbing is possible on the south facing crags in t-shirts.

If you are interested or need more information please get in touch. climbing@climbfrance.com http://www.climbfrance.com

Sport Relief - climb a vertical mile.

Instead of running a mile for Sport Relief, why not try climbing a mile (much more of a challenge). If you are interested in attempting to climb routes which, when added together their total length works out at a vertical mile (or more) then this may be the challenge for you.

This is a great opportunity to raise a lot of money for a deserving cause, as well as three days multi-pitch climbing in the sun!

ClimbFrance will provide a guide (free) for one or two people to attempt this challenge. The offer is open to climbers who have some experience of multi-pitch climbing and would like to use this as a learning experience, as well as the chance to raise some money.1 days multi-pitch training will be given before the attempt is made.

Climbers will be responsible for their own travel to France and accommodation (although we can sort this out for you). We will also require evidence that a minimum of £400 sponsorship is raised.

Sport Relief weekend is the 15th and 16th of March so you would need to arrive on Thursday 13th for a training / preparation day on Friday 14th.

If you would like more information or to talk things through get in touch.

Ollie Ryall. climbing@climbfrance.com http://www.climbfrance.com

Let the train take the strain!

Over 65% of bookings for this year's courses and holidays will be travelling by train or driving from the UK.

This represents a huge change from previous seasons where around 85% of people flew to France.

Travelling to France by train is fast, efficient, comfortable and without the stress often associated with air travel.

Information about train travel to France can be found at: http://www.raileurope.co.uk or http://www.seat61.com

To help and encourage people to travel by train we are now offering the following discounts:

• £25 off the advertised cost of all courses and holidays.
• Free transfers to many locations in France for Private Guiding.

Private Guiding.

Private guiding lets you make the most of your holiday time and allows you to choose exactly what you do each day.

Whatever your level of ability or experience, private guiding is a great way to learn new skills and techniques as well as increasing your climbing ability.

For full details visit: http://www.climbfrance.com/guiding.html

Book 4 or more days private guiding with ClimbFrance and receive a free prAna t-shirt.

‘Really enjoyable holiday. Excellent climbing locations that fitted very well with our abilities, goals and wishes. Best climbing holiday I have been on – thanks.’ David C. Wolverhampton.

‘I had an excellent time, achieved all I set out to and feel far more confident leading. All round a wonderful time and I hope to return again soon.’ Sarah C. Brighton.

Special offers for train travellers.

To encourage and help people who choose to travel by train we are now offering the following discounts:

£25 off the usual price for courses and holidays.

Free transfers to many locations in France for private guiding.

For details of all our courses, holidays and private guiding visit: http://www.climbfrance.com

Beginner's Rock Climbing Holiday.

If you have had a go at indoor rock climbing and would like to venture outside, our Beginner's Holiday will provide you with all the skills for safe, enjoyable outdoor climbing.

The holidays run in June and September and are based around the Provancal market town of Buis Les Baronnies in South East France.

Full details can be seen at:

http://www.climbfrance.com/climbing_course.html#beginner

‘Would recommend the beginner’s course to any indoor climbers to inspire them to venture outdoors.’ J. Murray. Surrey.

‘We have thoroughly enjoyed our holiday and would recommend it to anyone who wants to make the transition from indoor to outdoor climbing.’ Chris H. Brighton.

Welcome to the

ClimbFrance Blog for 2008.

ClimbFrance is one of Europe's leading providers of high quality rock climbing courses, holidays and private guiding.

For full details please visit: http://www.climbfrance.com/