A Few From Font: Ethan Pringle Climbing In France For nearly two months, San Francisco climber and Touchstone athlete, Ethan Pringle posted up in France’s Fontainebleau. The immense amount of sandstone provides world class bouldering. The smooth rock, the varying weather, and everything in between, make Font a challenging place to climb.

Pringle talked a little about his trip on his blog, saying, “The style of climbing here is hard for me. It is much different than somewhere like Rocklands or Hueco where it’s more pulling and dynamic moves on actual holds… Here, the key to sending problems at your limit is 1) having good beta, 2) having good conditions and 3) having the nuances and intricacies of each move down to a science.”

Partage 8a(+) from Ethan Pringle on Vimeo.

Though Pringle was plagued with bad conditions, he managed to learn some of the French subtleties. He discovered that, “sometimes something as bringing your body up higher without moving your feet to oppose a hold (Partage) or pointing your toe down while you’re heel hooking (Karma) can make the difference.”

Karma from Ethan Pringle on Vimeo.

Pringle's climbing adventures will continue as he heads back to the US to do some more great climbing in the states. Check out this cool video of Pringle and a few other climbers taking on some Font classics.

We call it " Bleau " from Sandstones on Vimeo.

Labels: Ethan Pringle, Font, Karma, Partage

  ¶ Sunday, January 01, 2012 0 Comments

  A Few From Font: Bay Area Climbers in France The forests around the French town of Fontainebleau are home to arguably some of the best boulders in Europe, if not the world. Thousands of sandstone blocks with mostly sandy landings litter the forest, making it a prime spot for traveling boulderers. The spring and fall season, read right now, are the best times to go and a few Berkeley locals headed out there to check out the blocks.

Monica Aranda, Justin Alarcon, and Scott Chandler flew out to France together to sample the wine, the chocolate, and most importantly the blocs. By staying in a gite, the small houses near the boulders, and sharing the expenses of a car, the three climbers were able to head out there for a month. They met up with other bay climbers- Ingar, Nora, Beth, Randy, and the ever popular Nevada boulderers Noah and Siemay. The crew is having a blast out there crushing the sloping holds. Check out some of the videos that Scott made of the climbing.

Randy Puro has got more hops than a brewery. Here he is jumping on L'Ange Naif, a classic Dyno at 95.2

L'Ange Naif from scott chandler on Vimeo.

Justin Alarcon, Ironworks desk staff hero, climbing the highball Big Jim at Petit Bois. Justin's been complaining of "wet skin"- whatever that means. Watching Alarcon on this highball made my palms sweat a little.

Big Jim from scott chandler on Vimeo.

Here's some more footage of wet tips Alarcon climbing Onde de choc at Apremont. It's hard not to be jealous.

Onde de choc from scott chandler on Vimeo.

Labels: Font, Justin Alarcon, Monica Aranda, Scott Chandler

  ¶ Tuesday, March 01, 2011 0 Comments