Team ABC Outdoor Climbing Camp Announcement – France 2012

South of France

Outdoor Climbing Workshop

June 2nd to 9th, 2012

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The Trip

Come join us in Saint Antonin Noble-Val in the south of France for a week of climbing, adventure and great food!  Situated just north of Toulouse in the foothills of the Pyrenees, Saint Antonin-Noble Val is considered one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in the south of France.  There is world-class rock climbing above medieval villages, hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails, incredible history at every turn and some of the best local food and wine you could ever hope for.

During the week, kids will be learning outdoor climbing skills at the local cliffs while parents are free to explore the villages, visit the vineyards and hike, run or bike on the incredible local trail system.  Every evening the families will gather to enjoy a wonderful meal prepared by our local chef.

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Who can go?

Anyone!  This camp can accommodate all levels of climbers and families.

Kids who are over 13 and are comfortable without their parents are welcome to come alone and enjoy camp under coach and guide supervision.

We are limiting this trip to 5 families.  Spots are first come first served.  To reserve your family’s place, contact Adam Brink and pay your reservation deposit to ABC Climbing.  The deposit is 50% of total cost.  All deposits are non-refundable except if the trip is cancelled.

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Where Will We Be Staying?

Each family will have their own private gite (pronounced zh-eet) on the plateau overlooking the Le’ Averyon Valley and Saint Antonin Noble-Val.  Gites are guesthouses that are part of a government run system of renovated historic homes called Gites De France.  Every gite has its own charming plot of land and amazing old stone farmhouse renovated to meet modern standards.  All are surrounded by rolling fields, stonewalls, meandering paths and history everywhere.

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The Climbing and Trip Guides

Didier Raboutou and Adam Brink will be the climbing guides as well as the point people for the trip.  Didier is a French certified climbing guide, a former French champion climber and is still considered one of the best on-sight climbers ever.  Adam is an AMGA certified single pitch guide, a teacher of 10 years, and a climbing coach for the ABC Advanced Climbing Team and the Horizons Climbing Club at Horizons K-8 Charter school in Boulder.

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What is Included in the Cost?

  • Private guesthouse for each family
  • Guesthouse will be stocked with food for breakfasts and lunches
  • Group dinner cooked by our excellent local chief each evening
  • Four days of guided climbing, instruction and rappelling for climbing kids
  • One day of climbing and rappelling for parents
  • Group canoeing on the Le’ Averyon River
  • A guided hike through one of the local caves
  • Mountain bikes for parents with maps of the area
  • A day-long guided mountain bike tour of the local area for parents
  • Access to the Raboutou’s climbing gym

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Cost

$1,200 per person

Family of 2= $2,400

Family of 3= $3,600

10% discount for a family of 4 or more

Family of 4= $4,320

Family of 5= $5,400

As a point of comparison, all other guided climbing camps in Europe (and there are only a couple!) cost at least $3,000 to $4,000 per person!

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Schedule for the Week

Saturday – Arrive at your private guesthouse and relax in the countryside!  Group dinner is in the evening.

Sunday – Visit Saint Antonin.  Saint Antonin has its famous village market in the morning.  Don’t miss it!  The Sunday market is known for its incredible variety of fresh, local food.  In the afternoon interested families will go on a guided tour of one of the local caves (it has an amazing view, bring the wine!).  Group dinner is at 7pm.

Monday – Climbing day.  Kids will leave for climbing in the morning and be back by 4pm.  Parents are free while kids are climbing.  Group dinner is at 7pm.

Tuesday – Afternoon climbing.  Kids will leave for climbing at noon and be back by dark.  Parents are free while kids are climbing.  Group dinner is at 7pm.

Wednesday – River day!  Families will meet at 10am to go canoeing on the L’Averyon River for the afternoon.  We’ll stop at diving rocks, take a break at a riverside café and just enjoy the water.  Group dinner is at 7pm.

Thursday – Afternoon climbing.  Kids will leave for climbing at noon and be back by dark.  Parents are free while kids are climbing.  Group dinner is at 7pm.

Friday – Family climbing day.  Families will meet to go climbing in the morning and be back by 4pm.  Everyone will have a chance to learn how to rappel and do a 200 foot free-hanging rappel off of the main cliff overlooking town.  End of week party in the evening!

Saturday – Check out of guesthouses by noon.

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If you have questions or to sign up for this camp, please contact Adam Brink at adam@teamabcboulder.com.

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