Ice Climbing – Oule Falls (V+, 5+)

The first ice climbing ascent of this major waterfall near Grenoble (France). The main issue for this particular line is that it almost never freezes, which means you really have to be in the right place a the right time. In winter 2012, ice climber Erwan Lelann left home early for a truly unique day at the office.

Erwan explains

“I’ve been ice climbing around Grenoble for almost 20 years, and for at least 10 years I’ve been dreaming of the day when the waterfalls that flow down off the Saint-Hilaire du Touvet plateau would freeze up.

In 2001 a cold spell allowed us to climb a number of beautiful lines, but only the upper portion of Oule Falls froze. The consistent and exceptionally cold temps over the course of recent weeks worked wonders!

Every day for the last two weeks I carefully watched how the ice was forming… and then last weekend the time had finally come. Oule Falls was frozen and ready…”

— Erwan Lelann