All Dressed up and Nowhere to Go !

Well, it’s been a funny old day today, on the one hand I’ve not done much rock climbing (although have watched those that have),on the other hand I’m not buried under an avalanche or worse somewhere, and I’ve got a great overnight spot, underneath a cliff, in the middle of nowhere, with a great starlit sky above me..

Anyhow, I digress..firstly I’d set the alarm for 6-30 a.m., in the expectation of it being a sunny day- and it was, so by 8a.m. I was on my way having paid the day before, for my first destination – a via Feratta at Les Orres, about an hours drive away. I had been a little concerned about snow, as my starting point was at 1,6665 mts… and as I drove along, looking up at the snow clad tops, I was even more concerned , still I kept on climbing and hoping… cheered on by the local shepherd and his flock, as he drove them down the road !

However, as soon as I reached my destination, I could already see a sign ,but it didn’t seem too ‘Official’, so I wandered up the track to assess the situation myself…the next sign did look a bit ‘Official’! , and with a barrier blocking my way, I realised that my hopes of climbing Les Orres via Feratta had been dashed, I was able to see through the trees, the mountain above, which had a large amount of snow held on the face, which presumably would be crashing down anytime soon… and if I stayed..me with it

So, time to drink in the views of a very quiet Les Orres, which looked to be a very busy alpine centre, but today was peaceful with plenty of birds singing, and nice sunshine..

So, then back through Gap, where I collected some food, and onto my next destination, drinking in the alpine views of all the high tops as I went along...although I set out for one, but ended up at another, if you know my navigation and map reading !

I eventually, after some tortuous roads, and ‘cols’ at the Col des Guerins, at 1312 mts high, the base of a mighty cliff called the Ceuse massif http://www.tourisme-tallard-barci.com/page00010072.html , which apparently was a rock climbers Mecca, attracting climbers from all over the world, there were several vehicles from Britain, along with Spain,Poland and indeed French, and from the looks of it most were staying for some time. I looked forward to joining them ! Unfortunately my hopes were immediately dashed by A Frenchman, who told me that this via Feratta was also closed – and had been for a couple of years, because of dangers with the equipment – so again I wouldn’t be climbing what I wanted. He did though suggest climbing up to the cliff, which he said is a great sight, and with it’s worldwide reputation, would be a shame not to see close at hand –which is what I did, an hours climb up through the forest, in the mid afternoon heat, saw me at the foot of the towering cliff. Firstly I traversed over to the left, to view (from below) the great cascade, with water  gushing over the top, and being blown back – just like Kinder downfall !, and a pleasant place for a shower .. then along to the right, to view the climbers part of the cliff

As I arrived no one was climbing, although there were several parties there, however, within minutes there were several groups who had started climbing, and as I had brought my binoculars, I had a great view of how they were doing, on what to me, looked a very difficult cliff to climb, directly up, few holds, and in places overhanging.. soon the cliff had several ‘specks’ climbing up the wall.. I got a sore neck looking up at all the action,and so decided it was time to return to Wally, and seek out my next destination, which I had tried, and failed to find earlier..

I won’t bore you with the details, of my trying,trying and eventually succeeding in finding the Gorges d’Agnielles,http://www.geol-alp.com/devoluy/lieux_bochaine/agnielles.html  near La Fourie.. a track that led off a side road, up and into a narrow limestone gorge, that was to be my home for the night, and, hopefully climbs tomorrow

There were lots of ‘falling rocks ‘ signs, but I located a larger area, the car park for the via Feratta, which although at the foot of a cliff, looks about as safe as anything… so with the place to myself, a nearby river as my ensuite, and the stars starting to come out twinkling in the clear skies, I’ll bid you all a Bonne Nuit, after a long,tiring day of doing…something !