I tried to post this before but I don't think my funky computer posted it. I'm thinking of going to university next year in Montreal, and a big sticking point is whether or not there is any bouldering there? My french sucks, but I'm planning on improving that, and the only info I can find is in French. Does anybody have any info of bouldering there and around the area, and whether it is easy to find partners (with cars) to take me, since I'll be in university. This is a pretty major sticking point for me, and all information is extremely appreciated.
Hi, I was in Montreal in 2004-2005 and there is bouldering. I was a beginner then and have only tried it once myself, so I'm not a 100% sure about the quality, but there should be very nice and quite a lot of bouldering around the area of Val David, which is about a 1-hour drive from the city. There's also a lot of trad climbing in the area. Montreal seems not ideal for sport climbing, but once you're there, it's nice enough, and there's also the possibility to go to Rumney (4-hour drive, I think), which should be great! Btw, there is also bouldering in Montreal on Saint Helen's island, but I doubt it's very impressive. Other than that, to really appreciate Montreal, learn French!
Hi Jamey, Take a look at those website's for some basic information. http://www.drtopo.com/Quebec http://quebecrockclimbing.wikispaces.com/ I am living in Montreal since a couple of years and there some nice places to go. Val-David, Mont Orford, Kamouraska, Montage d'argent, etc .... There are also nice places in the US that are about 90 min from Montreal. sincerely, Patrick
Thanks Marie and Patrick for the info! So it sounds like Val-David is the top spot in the area, other than minor spots or crossing back into the U.S. Does this sound about right? I saw the guide on the Dr. Topo site which I could mostly understand (I can read a bit of French), but is there a physical book available? Or is the pdf the best thing available for the area?
Unfortunately, I was able to gather very little information myself while in Montreal this summer, so I'd suggest you try to get in touch with someone local. Maybe through one of the gyms. I'm not sure if this'll get you anywhere, but there should be a good bunch of active climbers that work at Horizon Roc , and probably also at Allez Up . Or else you could maybe try at MEC or La Cordรฉe that sell climbing equipment. I don't think there's a topo for Val David other than the one from Dr. Topo, but I'm not sure. Patrick, do you know?
Guides for all those areas can be bought in LaCordรฉe or MEC stores in Montreal. http://www.lacordee.com/ http://www.mec.ca For Bouldering Val-David, Mount Orford are probably the best spots. Here is a french online guide for Val-David: http://www.fqme.qc.ca/userfiles/file/competition/FestiRoc/TOPO%20COMP%20WEB.pdf Guide Book for Val-David is: ISBN 2-920039-10-5 Have fun.... welcome to Montrรฉal
Bouldering in Montreal, Quebec