Another summer and trip over

We have just got back from our 5 week trip in the south of France! It hardly seems real that we've been gone for that long, the days really do seem to just blend into one when you have nothing to do or worry about every day other than what route you're going to climb next. It's taking a while to get used to being back under a solid roof every night after all the time spent chilling in Billy Bongo the van.

We all had an absolutely rad time out there climbing at some fantastic crags in the gorge and hanging out in the Cote d'Azur, which is by far one of the coolest spots I've visited in France. We were joined out there by friends from Germany, Slovenia, Poland and quite a large party of Brits. There was always plenty of banter flying around the place between us all!

Some pretty sick stuff went down from everyone in our crew, with Ed on top of his game, ticking 3 8c's among a whole bunch of other impressive sends! Big waddage to me homie from Bakers!

The incredible sector of Deverse!

I tried one of the 8c's the youth did 'Quenelle Trophy' and felt like it's something I could definitely have a good chance of doing with some more time. Sadly though we ran out of this in the end and I wasn't able to give it some proper burns. But it got me pretty dam stoked! Next time...

As always on these trips we met another bunch of really awesome people from all over the world and witnessed some freaking dam impressive climbing from them as well. A short while after clipping the chains on New Power I watched a young girl from the French team step up and totally beast it. These European youths sure know where its at and how to crush!

Edwardo powering his way up 'New Power Sacrifice' 8c

So much happened over the period we were there for that it would be impossible to get it all down, and I know that too much writing can start to get boring so I'll leave you with all the pictures and let those tell the story again. Big up to everyone that made it such a bossin trip! VENGAA!

Right now we are busy planning our next trip... and getting syked for the grit season again, which is fast approaching! Lets hope for a good winter...

Thanks for stopping by, peaceeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

New Power Generation! 8b

Qoussai, 8a+

German beast Daniel Jung taking a breather from his studies...

Another sweet effort from Pinti

Hot Chilli X, 8c - Izzy on the take-down!

Nat on her way to sending her first 8b! Sick effort!

Alex on Abyss, 9a!

Wasted! Climbing these 9a's is hard man!

The Lettered Man! Training in Antibes...

Gimps at large! Starting to lose our minds...

Some pedo lurking around the camp

Gourdon crew out in numbers

Our last bit of food...

 

 

 

Last night, waiting in Calais, before heading home!

Gorge du Loup!

We have been hanging out in the Loup now for three weeks, climbing on some of the best tufa inFrance and once again meeting a bunch of awesome people along theway! I find meeting and getting to know all the different types ofpeople on these trips equally as good as the climbing. We are superexcited to be back in this part of the world again!

This is the first chance I've had toupload a blog here as the internet is pretty scarce around theseparts, but here is a quick rundown on whats been happening.

Some big sends have gone down in ourcamp, and from team Slovenia. Gasper and Izzy have both taken downtwo 8c's each! Big up to those guys!

We have also hooked up with a superstrong lad from Germany, who the other day sent 'Kickass' a 9aestablished by local kid Enzo the week before. Auf Gehts!

A few days ago now I managed to bustout probably one of the shortest routes at the Deverse Sector, thesuper powerful and bouldery 8b 'New Power Generation'. A pretty radlittle route for sure with some big moves!

We also have the sickest camp setupever, right on top of the gorge, with an amazing view of the sea! Andwith the crag only a 5 minute drive away it means you can just be100% focused on all the climbing.

I'm really syked to try and send asmany routes here as possible before we head off to Briancon for ashort while to hang with our good friend David Falt and sample someof the local crags there.

Will upload a load of pictures soon as we get chance! Thanks for checking in! Peace x

On the road again

Gorge du Loup

We leave for the south of France on Sunday for what should be an amazing month of climbing on some of the best limestone around. The pysche is very high right now as we finish packing and get everything sorted out. As well as looking forward to heading back to Nice, which for me is one of the coolest places to hang out in.
Be sure to check in on the blog as we'll be keeping it updated with the latest lowdown on whats been happening. In the mean time here are a couple of videos we found of some of the fantastic routes The Loup has to offer! This place is the business! Peace out ya'll

Stoney Action

We spent some time hanging out on Garage Buttress at Stoney the other day, checking out a few of the routes and chillin in the sunshine! Good to be pulling on some dry rock and props to Sam on sending the full version of Little Plum. Some pics below

I also ticked Call of Nature, 8a at the Tor a few days ago. Not usually my thing these type of routes but enjoyed this for some reason... Longer rigs are where its at these days for sure.

The Big Apple

Sam making quick work of the first pitch of Little Plum

Mammut Trion Light

I've not really done something like this before but a few people have been asking me recently about various bits of kit in the Mammut range so thought I would post up a couple of short reviews on some of my favourite products!

If you're after a super lightweight backpack for those long days out on the mountains or for stashing all you need for a hit at the crag then the Trion Light is definitely up there with the best and worth investing in!

I've been using this pack now for the last few months and it is without doubt the lightest and most comfy bag I've ever owned at just 1100 grams, and can be stripped down to just the pure essentials to weigh only 620 grams! This bag is the real deal and looks freaking rad.
It also comes with a removable waterproof liner which is basically a dry bag, ensuring that all your kit stays totally bone dry. Something that has been tested to the max so far this summer...

Find out more at: http://www.mammut.ch/en/productDetail/251002210_v_4171_40/Trion-Light.html

This pack is also the preferred choice for fellow Mammut athlete David Lama, check out what he's got to say about it below.

Before the rain came

Here are a few shots my good homie Jon Clark took at Anston before the weather completely screwed up. Cheers bro! Its all good guys.

Dark Reservation, V12

Vive la France!

Its still raining out there and its starting to get hard to keep motivation levels up. However we are now officially off to the Gorge du Loup in France at the end of the month for the whole of August! We're so pysched to pull on some dry rock and perfect euro tufa, chill out on the coast and forget about what a bad summer its been so far here at home. Its not like none of us haven't been making an effort to get outside here though, we've still managed to find stuff to do, in between getting incredibly soaked in the torrential downpours. Here are few snaps from the past few weeks showing whats been going on.

Cheers to Ed hanging on a rope getting wet for these

Not syked...

England lads...

Local youths out to see the torch in Bakers

Off to Cliffhanger at the weekend, hope the sun comes out! Massive good luck to all our friends competing in the British Championships over both the days as well! Allezzzzz!
Out.