Mountains for children
Discovering climbing with a little tribe bursting with energy!
With la Maison des Jeunes des Eaux Claires.
During this first week of the All Saints' holidays, the Eaux Claires youth centre (MJC) offers children a Mountain week, during which they discover hiking, orienteering, climbing and via ferrata. Ludo and I take care of the last two activities.
The chosen via ferrata is the Cascade at L'Alpe du Grand Serre. Graded Not Very Difficult, it has several distinct sections between which it is often possible to escape. The first section is probably the most impressive, as it crosses a boiling torrent several times on beams or rope bridges equipped with cables that are sometimes too high for the little ones. The zip line turns out to be a good way to cross!
Apart from a few steeper steps, the following sections are easier and the view is nice. Back on the bus, all these inexhaustible little balls of energy do us the honour of collapsing for a good nap.
After a day of hiking in the Chartreuse, we meet again on Thursday for a climbing session for real! The Brieux crag in Saint-Egrève is well suited to children, with shade and lots of space at the foot of the routes. The right-hand wall offers a series of routes from 3a to 4c. On the other hand, the rock dries rather badly after rain and only gets the sun late (west-facing).
We start with a morning of climbing for everyone, in which the children show us how resourceful they are both at climbing and at belaying: their progress is lightning fast! The afternoon revolves around a variety of workshops they love: zip line, slackline, guided top-roping, etc...
Two beautiful days overflowing with smiles, fears, joys and discoveries!
Photo gallery...