Esterel climbing

Crag: Gorge du Blavet
Routes: La Quatrieme Dimension (f4b:led), Elles se Rendant pas Compte (f4b:sec), La 205 a Gerard (f4b:sec), Sans Nom Six (f4b:led)
Crag: Cap Dramont
Routes: Moon Flower (f3+:sol), Let's Go (f3+:sol), RER (f3+:sol), Petit Pimouss (f3+sol), Right Arete (f3:sol), Left Crack (f3:sol), Left Slab (f3:sol), Right Slab (f3:sol)
On my last visit to Blavet, Vic and I climbed a route in the main gorge then pushed the grade to 6b+ at La Capelle. This was a little different: a family visit to the smaller crags on the little buttresses south of the main gorge. The crag we settled on had the typical Esterel ambience: always a delight. I led a nice little F4 for the children to try. Over a bulge to some typical Esterel pockets and a huge handlebar hold, Then up a crack to a steep finishing bulge. M got all the way to the final move, while E exhibited superb bridging technique! The routes either side were also pleasant, especially 'Gerard' up a nice juggy crack. I led one more slabby climb before we escaped the heat for a luxury picnic of roast chicken and peaches at the top end of the gorge. We then retired to have fun by the sea at Dramont, where I later ran round the wonderful coastal path to solo some familiar easy lines in the few minutes I had available: two on the lower 'path' crag, two on Pilier de Soleil (I've done every route on this crag I think), then some on the superbly rough easy slab above the sea facing the Ile d'Or.