Finalese Fun

Having just returned from a week long break in the beautiful Finale Ligure on the Italian Riviera where temperatures in the early twenties allowed evening strolls in a t-shirt it was quite a shock to hit the Stansted tarmac to the tune of clear blue skies and 4 degrees C! 

Despite a nagging cold and some worrying sinus problems

 (gobbing up huge blood soaked phlegm balls!) it was great to go somewhere new and take a rarely grabbed holiday with Ali (who is saintly in her tolerance of my obsession with climbing.) Staying in the town of Finale itself enabled us to share a relaxing week together amidst the beautiful architecture and bustling bars and restaurants whilst being within a short journey of the climbing. 

For anybody who has not visited this place then I would highly recommend it. The traditional Finalese crags of perfect grey stone offer some technical challenges that definitely feel tough for the grade but they are highly rewarding and there is is most definitely something for everybody. The 350 page guidebook is certainly proof of that!

Also for those whose tastes are perhaps a little more modern there is a hidden gem only 40 kilometres away. The Val Pennavaire is home to around 30 crags of red and blue rock. Steep, vertical, slabby, crimps, pockets and tufas- the place has it all. There is another guide for this area called "Oltrefinale" itself running to some 300 pages, which again gives you an idea of the scale of the place. I won't say too much only that I have not been anywhere else that is better.

In terms of the climbing for the week, fortunes were mixed. Illness meant days were short and sleep was needed in plentiful amounts but towards the end of the week things appeared to be on the up and the best day gave a 7a, 7b+ and two 7cs all on-sight. I probably ate way too many pizzas and drank too much beer (and mojitos) but it was a HOLIDAY after all. 

Been out to Almscliff for an hour this afternoon, more on a photo mission than a climbing one but I did do a quick circuit of problems myself. Although it's not my favorite crag it was nice to catch up with a few people and enjoy one of those rare sunny and crisp days. Better make the most of it as it will probably be raining tomorrow.