CLIMBING

Climbing initiation

– Activity description

Introduction to rock climbing in the Hérault: lead climbing and learning to set up routes as a first-rope climber, we have several school sites to offer you, depending on your geographical location, so that you can take your first steps in rock climbing.

We can climb on the sites of St Bauzille de Montmel, St Bauzille de Putoisthe cliffs of Joncas or Saugras and the roque d’Aubais and St Sériès.

For the first introductory sessions, you’ll try your hand at top-roping on a few easy routes in the area, meaning that it’s the instructor who will climb and install the rope. Then, depending on your ability and motivation, you can learn how to use the ropes to climb a route as a lead climber.

– Planned sessions

The first sessions should focus on safety. For both climber and belayer. Belaying is an integral part of climbing, requiring great concentration and team spirit to encourage your climbing partner. Specific belaying movements must be learned and assimilated into the climbing repertoire. Lead belaying requires the ability to anticipate the climber’s reactions, and thus to facilitate the climber’s progress by giving slack or taking up rope tension when necessary.

Sessions are built around a thorough warm-up. First of all on the ground, before getting into your gear by performing a movement routine to prepare the body and fingers for climbing. Warming up is essential to ensure a good climbing session. Once you’ve warmed up, the first routes will be climbed at a level you’ve really mastered, well below your current maximum level. This helps you gain confidence in your stance, and gives you the motivation to set harder objectives for the rest of the session.

– A region of climbers!

Introductory climbing courses in the Hérault are a godsend if you’re just starting out and you’re hooked on the sport in the region. The Hérault has a wealth of well-exposed, approved cliffs where you can try out your first climbing skills. Depending on the area, you can try your hand at different styles of climbing (finger climbing at St Bauzille de Montmel, big overhangs at Claret, the perfect mix at Thaurac, etc.).

Regular monitoring of our students enables us to set up a technical and physical plan for assured progress. Foot placement, movement anticipation, decision making, breathing and motivation are the areas we will be working on to introduce you to climbing in the Hérault region.