I'm struggling down the final stretches of the descent from El Capitan in the gathering gloom; after an arduous onsight attempt on Freerider. The haulbag is cutting into my shoulders in an increasingly painful sawing action, and every step feels like its taking ten minutes. Two figures pop out of the darkness in between pine trees, "Those look like heavy bags," the long-haired one remarks with a touch of smugness. " What you guys been on?" he asks, more friendly now.

"Freerider."

"Nice. How long that take ya?"

"errr... three and a half days I guess"

"What you guys been on?" I sensed he probably would have told me anyway, so I might as well ask.

"The Nose. Six, thirty-two, seventeen. Anyway, have a good one guys." They jogged off ]]>/articles/Reflections_on_Font_1096.html2010-06-22‘Well I knew I was coming in to the trip week as a kitten, so I was just hoping to climb every day and have fun. The only thing I had in mind before going to Font was a problem called Satan I Helvete 8b, but due to the shit weather, I didn't even get chance to try it.' Tom.

In early February of 2010, a group of UK climbers went to Fontainebleau on a six week siege, sending test pieces and training for the upcoming bouldering season. What follows is an account with interviews of some of the guys who went, from an albeit slightly shorter than planned trip.

We arrived in Font at Maisonbleau, after a flurry of emails and organisation to meet up with Ned Feehally, Dave Mason, Tom Newman and Adam Watson amongst a crowd of us, all eager to crush, go big and send. Most of the guys were in Font for a period of about 35 days, only 16 of which it turned out were fit for climbin]]>/articles/TransRockies_Challenge__769.html2006-11-27/articles/Decin_Sandstone__672.html2006-07-10/articles/Schleierwasserfall_Summer_Sport_for_the_Strong_494.html2005-07-18