The change can be good and also it can be hard,  routes are very intimidating and difficult.
Limestone cliffs hundreds of meters down to the swift moving river Verdon.
Majestic Griffen vultures riding the thermals high above its sure not a place to take lightly.
The climbing here is very committing mainly due to having to abseil into the climbs.
Robin and I have previously been to Verdon but this is the first time unguided.
This makes the stress levels a little higher, abseiling and route finding are just a few things that can go wrong.

After a few days of changeable weather we get a chance to do a few multi-pitched routes.
It's clear to me there are French grades and Verdon grades, even Robin has some moments.
Each area can be very different, one days multi-pitch can be fun filled with pockets and holds and another leaves me wondering if I'm doing the same grade.

Life is taking on a similar air of finding routes to climb, abseil points and then the whole day stuck to the rock face with many others from all over Europe.
Into the mix of climbers are the crazy base jumpers, 2 of whom jumped into the gorge and eventually followed us up a route with each carrying 8kg parachute. Also some high lines set up in the gorge definitely scary but really amazing to watch someone attempt.

Robin hanging around on a tyrolean traverse.

Getting ready for the abseil down.

Beautiful night sky in the Verdon Gorge.

Walking to the base of our climb.