Lessons From Le Menestrels

Nice words as written on the wall at No17PT

In the 1980s, Marc Le Menestrel opened and repeated some of the hardest routes in France. In 1996, Le Menestrel established L’Alchemiste, in Fontainebleau, which is regarded as the famous bouldering area’s first 8B (V13). He is a legend in the climbing community for his contributions and his continued high level of climbing. Even though he climbs constantly with his wife and two daughters, Marc decided not to coach Eline.

Eline working a 7c+ at El Pati in Siurana

“He told me that he did not want to do it because he thought that our relation could change and that he was not the good person to do it,” said Eline in between our attempts on Pren Nota. Instead he provided three insights, which I found to be better coaching than any number of hangboard routines.

Great post on TouchStoneClimbing