Uploaded January 2020 | Updated September 2026, 22 hours ago
↡ Fontainebleau 2020 Bouldering Trip ↡
We touched down in Fontainebleau just before New Year. We spent our first day getting to grips with the distinct style of bouldering, and now we had a few harder projects in mind.
We started the second day of our trip in Apremont Envers, a new area for both of us, where I’d seen several friendly-looking 7b boulders. After my routine warm-up, I started working the obvious crux move and quickly found myself on top of Compression Nez.
Our friends were in Apremont Centre so we didn’t spent much longer at Envers. Hannah and I strapped the pads on our backs and hiked over to central Apremont, briefly getting lost along the way but stumbling across a specular view of the forest.
The Mawsons are excellent climbers with a long-list of Fontainebleau trips under their belt. We took their advice and tried a few classic problems in the area. First, Lamentations 6c. Then, Clin d’Oeil 7a. And lastly, Egoiste 7a.
To no-ones surprise, I spent nearly an hour trying to make moves on the technical slab Lamentations. Then, I reminded everyone just how long my arms are when I flashed Clin d’Oeil and Egoiste.
The next day we woke in a thick fog. Not ideal conditions. But as we ventured into the Franchard woodland, it was clear the trees had provided some cover to the boulders.
I set the mats down beneath Modular, a striking prow with a 7b+ stand start. Hannah was resting and happy to support my efforts for the morning. And, it was a real battle.
I couldn’t believe how quickly I’d made it to the top - but apparently I’d underestimated the top out. It had looked so easy on all those videos, I thought. Well, that’s what happens when you watch Fontainebleau locals I suppose.
I climbed Modular from the start four times, dropping the top-out (or more accurately, chicken-ing out of the top-out) every time. I needed big rests between attempts, six or seven minutes, because the moves were so powerful. On my fifth attempt at the top I finally made it over. Psyched.
I've made several short films from our trip - trying to find a balance between classic 'send' films and storytelling. This is a labour of love, but I really enjoy sharing our experiences in the forest.
#Bouldering #Climbing
If you enjoy my videos, I'd really appreciate your support in sharing my channel.
Instagram ↡
Nathan | instagram.com/nathanbetts_
Hannah | instagram.com/hannah_outside_
Camera Kit ↡
Sony A6500 w/ Sigma 16mm, Sigma 30mm, Sony Zeiss 50mm, and Sony 18-105mm.
Rode Videomic Pro.The Best Way to Start 2020
↡ Fontainebleau 2020 Bouldering Trip ↡
We touched down in Fontainebleau just before New Year. We spent our first day getting to grips with the distinct style of bouldering, and now we had a few harder projects in mind.
We started the second day of our trip in Apremont Envers, a new area for both of us, where I’d seen several friendly-looking 7b boulders. After my routine warm-up, I started working the obvious crux move and quickly found myself on top of Compression Nez.
Our friends were in Apremont Centre so we didn’t spent much longer at Envers. Hannah and I strapped the pads on our backs and hiked over to central Apremont, briefly getting lost along the way but stumbling across a specular view of the forest.
The Mawsons are excellent climbers with a long-list of Fontainebleau trips under their belt. We took their advice and tried a few classic problems in the area. First, Lamentations 6c. Then, Clin d’Oeil 7a. And lastly, Egoiste 7a.
To no-ones surprise, I spent nearly an hour trying to make moves on the technical slab Lamentations. Then, I reminded everyone just how long my arms are when I flashed Clin d’Oeil and Egoiste.
The next day we woke in a thick fog. Not ideal conditions. But as we ventured into the Franchard woodland, it was clear the trees had provided some cover to the boulders.
I set the mats down beneath Modular, a striking prow with a 7b+ stand start. Hannah was resting and happy to support my efforts for the morning. And, it was a real battle.
I couldn’t believe how quickly I’d made it to the top - but apparently I’d underestimated the top out. It had looked so easy on all those videos, I thought. Well, that’s what happens when you watch Fontainebleau locals I suppose.
I climbed Modular from the start four times, dropping the top-out (or more accurately, chicken-ing out of the top-out) every time. I needed big rests between attempts, six or seven minutes, because the moves were so powerful. On my fifth attempt at the top I finally made it over. Psyched.
I've made several short films from our trip - trying to find a balance between classic 'send' films and storytelling. This is a labour of love, but I really enjoy sharing our experiences in the forest.
#Bouldering #Climbing
If you enjoy my videos, I'd really appreciate your support in sharing my channel.
Instagram ↡
Nathan | instagram.com/nathanbetts_
Hannah | instagram.com/hannah_outside_
Camera Kit ↡
Sony A6500 w/ Sigma 16mm, Sigma 30mm, Sony Zeiss 50mm, and Sony 18-105mm.
Rode Videomic Pro.The Best Way to Start 2020
