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okalex
Aug 28, 2006, 9:32 PM
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Registered: Aug 28, 2006
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Hello everyone,
It's come time for me to shut off my computer, leave my desk, and see the world. I've decided to take a month with my close friend Randolph and backpack through Europe, climbing for as much of that time as possible, mostly bouldering since we don't really want to carry a rack of gear with us, and it's our preferred style of climbing, anyway. We're arriving in London on September 6th and leave on October 5th, and we plan on climbing in England (probably Yorkshire, maybe Peak District), Fontainebleau, Cresciano, Val di Mello, and Spain (not yet sure of the classic bouldering areas in Spain - any suggestions?).
The only problem is that, both of us being virgins to Europe, we're not quite sure how to get from the train stations to our various climbing locales. If anyone could provide even the slightest bit of useful information (preferably in English), I would greatly appreciate it. Also, if anyone would like to meet up in any of the above mentioned locations for some awesome climbing with some good people (I think so, at least), or if you know of any better bouldering areas to visit, our schedule is very flexible, so feel free to PM me. I'd love to get the chance to meet someone who can provide some insight into the various cultures and history of these areas.
Thanks,
Alex
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overlord
Aug 29, 2006, 6:45 AM
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Registered: Mar 25, 2002
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well, theres also maltatal in austria :wink:
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heiko
Aug 29, 2006, 6:54 AM
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Registered: Mar 3, 2005
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Hi,
as for Cresciano, Switzerland has a fantastic public transport service, especially the bus line run by the national Postal Service (yellow busses). Reach Bellinzona by train, then figure out which bus you need with the help of a map there. Shouldn't be too hard.
Val di Mello can be reached by bus, although I don't know about the schedule. The final destination AFAIK is either San Martino in Val Masino or a place called Bagni di Masino. You'll have to backtrack the bus line, as I have no idea where it actually starts from... but from San Martino you can walk to the boulders in 15 minutes.
Keep us updated once your schedule is more detailed, at least for Val di Mello chances are you get to meet some of us.
Have a nice trip,
H.
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booger
Aug 29, 2006, 10:05 AM
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Registered: May 23, 2003
Posts: 1163
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The best way to do Bleau is: take the train from Paris (it is about 15€ round-trip and runs once per hour, takes about 1/2 hour to get there). Near the train station is a cheap hotel called Étap. It is 35€ per night and all the rooms have three beds. I could recommend a cheaper one, but you won't be able to get there walking, and there aren't any taxis in Bleau. You'll want to hook up with some folks to get out to the climbing areas, as the forest is very large and they are spread about.
Guidebooks can be found in English and French at the bookstore in town (near the carousel and the palace... you can't miss it). Or, you can buy them at the tourist office (just ask where it is) where they will also give you a roadmap and mark up all the famous spots for you.
Could probably meet up with you at Bleau for a weekend in September (except the 9-10). Drop me a pm when your plans are set.
Ciao,
Taz
PS -
For train: http://www.voyages-sncf.com/...e?_CMD=cmdHomepageUK
For flights (probably cheaper!): www.ryanair.com
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okalex
Aug 29, 2006, 8:22 PM
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Registered: Aug 28, 2006
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Thanks for the tips so far, everyone. This has been very helpful. Is anyone heading out to Bleau around the 10th or 11th of September (our plans are pretty flexible, so those dates aren't set in stone, so to speak)? I'd like to avoid renting a car if possible, but I don't want to miss out on any of the best areas simply because they were too far to walk. If anyone feels that they just could not possibly make it into work that week, then I'd be more than happy to buy a tank of gas and some post-climbing wine.
Otherwise, I have a few more questions. Are there any campsites that are near the boulders (that is, within a fifteen to thirty minute walk)? We plan on staying for four to five days, so we might be able to avoid renting a car by hitchiking to the campsite and walking to and from the boulders. Is this feasible, and would we be severely limiting the number of places we can climb by doing this?
Any extra information is fully appreciated. Hopefully we'll get the chance to meet up, climb some of the world's best sandstone slopers, and share a bottle of wine or two underneath the French moonlight in the near future. Also, I'd like to extend an invitation to anyone who'd like to visit the United States to do some climbing over here. I currently live in the Southeast, home to Horse Pens 40, another amazing spot filled with sandstone slopers, and Little Rock City, among dozens of other great bouldering areas, as well as some stellar sport climbing.
Thanks again,
Alex
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