Pendulum jump in Saint-Guilhem le Désert
A beautiful day for a beautiful jump on the summit of the rock of Bissone in Saint-Guilhem the Desert. It is this weekend from 18 to 20 March that they are chained jumps from a 180-meter peak. This amounts to starting on 125 m, of which 80 meters in free fall, to finish in pendulum on the rest of the descent. Then there was nothing left but to carry out a reminder, to join the floor of the cows. And yes, it’s nice to hang, but we must go down.
This meeting with this team of stringers and highliners began on Saturday 18. Basically, I had gone for a short hike in the canyon of Verdus, to occupy my afternoon. And yes, you have to keep fit. Not that I am a big fan of hiking, but at least I could chain a few reminders and perhaps make a meeting of climbers (for the blow I was not disappointed).
It is therefore passing on the hiking path down the climbing tracks that I see the entire clock, flying in the wind. Because yes, it can be said that it was blowing. This is where I make the connection between the whole team that had set up a makeshift camp at the bottom of the parking lot. I continue my hike in the canyon of Verdus and decide, so go to the door, to know what it is. So I learn that a small group of friends from various backgrounds have gathered to hang, except that today, far too much wind to jump. We’ll have to wait until tomorrow …
I decide to come back the next day, to see that. And anyway, I had to occupy my Sunday. I will be on my way to the foot of the climbing paths of the “Pilier” area. I meet there two men who take care of the reception jumpers. There I am told that it will not be long to jump, and indeed, a few minutes later I see someone jumping. Finally, to start, is to say a lot, because I was told, once arrived at the top, that he had asked to be pushed. In any case, he did. Unfortunately, it was the first and last jump I saw, because the time to go up another had jumped, and everyone had to pack up, because it started to blow again as yesterday (indeed, we hardly heard each other speak Because of the wind). Fortunately they were there from morning till dawn.
It was on returning to the parking lot that I attempted the shot and asked if it was possible to jump, or at least to come back tomorrow, to see all that, even if to give a hand to repack the gear. I am told, while arms will be welcome to put everything together, that we would be in a small committee, and therefore that it would probably be possible to jump. I’m back the next day at 8am in the parking lot of Saint-Guilhem le Désert.
After a little coffee, we go upstairs. The first to jump, it’s his first pendulum jump and start in rotation accompanied by a very singular cry. After climbing up the rope, her boyfriend joins her and it’s my turn. The stress was not yet too high, but as always, it is on the edge that one is always less at ease. Well, do not think about it and we’re going! Frankly, it is to live at least once. A sensation of acceleration with the wind whistling in the ears is the top! With this small rise of heart when the rope tightens and embarks you in pendulum. Pure happiness (well it depends for who)! In short, everyone had time to make a second jump, and it was necessary to begin to store the gear. There are, for example, the Tyrolean rope was 900 meters. Go and have fun! Good timing, 2h30 of storage, not too much trouble, and it allows us to return at night to fall on the parking lot, and to take the small picon late day beer (ok there were 2).
In any case, I do not regret to be going for a walk this Saturday. Starting from a hike to finish in pendulum of 125 meters. Good weekend in a great atmosphere, again thanks to them!
