Last of the summer climbs

With the evenings drawing in and the prospect of a few weeks in the UK looming it was time for a last bit of sunshine rock, with the Calanques area near Marseille top of the list. The area has a huge variety of limestone climbing, from single pitch cragging to multi-pitch adventures on trad gear.

Entering the 'Lost World' of the Calanque D'En Vau:



The fine Pilier Sans Soucis. 4 pitches of great mid-grade climbing:



Ginny pulling round the corner on pitch 3. The rock is ALOT cleaner than it looks here (and more polished):



View from the top of the peninsula West towards La Candelle:



Great place for a swim:



The north side of the Calanque is home to some low-grade classics. Perfect in theory for an easy escape back on to the plateau for the start of the walk home, until you find out how polished they are, with 4b pitches proving harder than the 5c climbing on other routes... Looking across at a party on the classic 'Saphir'



Looking down onto the stunning beach of En Vau. These views are what make climbing in the Calanques so special:



Finally, Evan sent through a couple of nice photos from last months foray on the Frendo Spur, cheers Ev. The incredible snow ridge below the Rognon:



Yours truly on the final pitch of the left hand finish to the Frendo: