Europe ere climbing meet up 2025

[NewBlood]

I'll be taking the train to Biel, but it's still too early for me to book the main train ticket.
The earliest I could arrive if trains work out as planned is about 5pm in Biel. Probably on the 24th.

[Jean]

Ok, this is how i see it.
On the 23 I meet guitar player +1. Either in bern or at my place. I will have a beer, and they will have demineralized water, while we all enjoy the Aare to refresh ourselves. If we have time, we'll go buy food, otherwise we'll do it on the 24th. Depending our motivation, we'll then walk or take the bus to a village, and we'll go to a crag sector with a small hut. We'll avoid sitting on the ground, because the area is infested with bus that really scratch if they bite you. In the evening new blood will join us. The earlier he arrives, the less he will have to walk to reach us. We'll climb a bit and then have a nice walk to a train station (the walk there from bienne is also very nice and around 90 minutes), where the cohort arriving the 25th will join us. There is a river to cool and a nice slab to climb and warm. When every one arrives, we'll walk to a cave in a cliff (i'll go check the place before the meet up, it was a few years since last time). This is where we'll climb on the 26 and 27th. Then we'll go to my place, some will have to sleep in the woodworking atelier.
Most important thing is that everyone takes enough water. There is no supply at most crags.
If it sound to complex, i could negotiate for people to sleep at the atelier the whole week end, and we just take a bus to crags everyday.

[Jean]

I created a signal group. Pm me to be added

[Jean]

@muu
@mir
Is Signal ok for you?
It would make it easier if everyone is on signal, so if you don't wan't to join the group chat, just let me know so that I can adjust communication of technical detail without signal, instead of waiting for you to join the group.

@all participants
Also, If you want to expand on you expectations for the meetup regarding camping, walking and climbing, it would help me to check which spots are best, and look for way to ease stay at those place.

[Stahlmann]

I must say pass for this event. Hope it gonna be lot of fun for you

I don't know if it's against savoir-vivre, because it's a bit derailment, but I must say I would be interested in some kind hiking event in low cost country somewhere in Central Europe in 2027. Maybe we can discuss it closer to the beginning of 2027 in another topic.

[Jean]

@Stahlmann
It would have been nice to have you with us. Feel free to change your mind
Low cost central european country, you mean like switzerland ? biggest expense will always be traveling to the meeting. Accomodation is free, and stapples aren't really more expensive here than in a, sv, sk, cz or pl.

[NewBlood]

@all participants
Also, If you want to expand on you expectations for the meetup regarding camping, walking and climbing, it would help me to check which spots are best, and look for way to ease stay at those place.

I don't have a lot of expectations. My only concerns are about carrying a lot of stuff over long distances (gear, water, food).
If we can share the load between all of us (gear), and figure out a daily water source, I'm all good.

I'll probably bring a tent and am flexible for everything else.

[Jean]

The spot i have in mind doesnt require more than 1 big hour of walking. There are several possibilities about how to sleep. There is a cliff cave that makes a tent superfluous, and where we could all stay grouped, but it requires climbing down a cable and ladder (pictures in signal groupe).
Other option is to camp dispersed in the forest overlooking the cliff. I wouldn't feel confortable leaving tents up for several days there.
Third ootion is taking a big tarp and spaning it at the foot of a top rope crag in case of rain. That's less hasle to put down in the morning.

As i see it, we'll spend two nights at the crag with everyone, sunday night will be spent at my place.

Regarding water and gear, we can organize to share the load. I think it would be nice if we bring up some extra water up before hand (smart thing would be to go up there with my bike, this way one can go fetch water in 30 minutes when needed.

This is the best spor for me, but i would like everone to be fine with it.

Second option is my forest. Everyone camp there, but then it's a longer (40 min) way to the crag.
This is the less adventurous option, but with a nicer view on the alps.

I would like to know how you feel about them. You can discuss it on signal. This is here in case extra people that want to join know what the options are.

[Jean]

So we talked a bit on the group. Here are infos for those that would like to join but haven't announced yet.
We will go to my forest. Access to my forest is possible by wheelchair, it's about 1 hour walk from nearest bus stop. It's not a perfectly flat road, but it's a road with very little traffic, except when a postman gets lost.
Access to the crag is a bit longer, 5and a half km and 300 m elevetion when following trails, so I would say about 1h30. difficulty goes from 4c to 6b. 30m rope is enough (but take your 80m rope @newblood, we'll use it for two climbers at a time).
There is no water on site. I'll bring a 20liter watercow, and we can go fill it at the village if we need to, but please take some water. There is a non controlled fountain at the bus stop. I drink it, but if you don't wan't to drink it, take water with you from elsewhere.
For food, I'll take half a wheel of cheese an potatoes. I'm perfectly fine eating it alone, that should be enough calories for the week end, but I'm happy to trade for whatever food you'll bring
There will be a fire and a pot.
There is some flat soft surface to pitch some tents. In case of wind, branch might fall. There is a cave and a clearing not to far to find refuge in case of strong wind.
We might discuss about common cooking more on the signal group. I'll give regular updates on this thread.

[Jean]

https://youtu.be/gMgOBrhL60g?si=24L4RD5kcl6veubu

In this video,i guide a dude around the area where the fest will happen.
If you still are hesitating, it might convince you, because we had some great weather.

[johnsmith84730]

Hey everyone - I am considering coming - I met up with bos who happens to live 100m from my workplace and he is active with the meetups and inspired me to make it happen.

One question - is anyone bringing any kids?

I'm thinking to maybe just bring my oldest son (aged 10) - the other 4 kids would be too young or not interested enough. Maybe the 2nd oldest boy (aged 7) would join as well but the distances may be too great for him. The 10 year-old is tough - he would be fine from that perspective.


edit: after a pep-talk from my better half I've decided to definitely come and to definitely bring at least one of the boys, likely both.

So as an FYI in case anyone was thinking to bring a kid along - they will have some play partners (from 24th-28th July) fully equipped with a few wakie-talkies and nice snacks etc.

[ErnestScribbl3r]

I hereby confirm my stay at ERE climbing meet up and am very much looking forward to it.
I will probably be accompanied by my gf and arrive on 22./23.07. with Flixbus in Bern. We might stay at a campground (Hotel Camping-Sutz am Bieler See?) and meet the group later.

[Jean]

Great!
I cannot recomand you a campground in particular. It depends on what you'de want to see.

[Jean]

@john smith
do your kid speak german? The neighbours kid are in the same age range.
Also, we have a 4yo on site.

@all
I already said it, but probability that we will go for a swim in a lake/river/creek is very close to 1, so bring some apparel you are comfortable getting in water with in a public setting.

[johnsmith84730]

@jean yes the kids speak German (and they can translate for me haha) - so yeah that sounds great - I'm sure they will have fun with the neighbour's kids - and wow I did not know there was a kid there - fantastic!

re. swimming attire - does nude count as attire? (just kidding... barely).

[Jean]

The way I formulated it was specifically designed to make clear that it's up to you to decide what you want to wear for bathing
The spot we are the most likely to bath at, there is to much people for me to bath naked. I usually go in my underpants.