Wednesday, December 31, 2025

December 31, 2025 - Being in control.

With the ongoing good conditions, I had planned for and hoped to climb another project on the last day of 2025. The project I chose was "Contrôle A" in Buthiers Piscine. Last year in Summer, I had briefly held the top sloper, but missed the friction to pull on it just a bit more to get it good enough, allowing me to match with the right hand and finally top it out. The good conditions would for sure be very welcome if only I would get to the same point again.
Steven (Demets) decided to stop in Bleau on his way back to Belgium and I was glad that he agreed to join me in Buthiers Piscine. He was even kind enough to carry one of the three crashpads that I had taken with me.
My first couple of attempts were only mediocre, but with the good friction, I was able to place the right foot slightly higher and reach higher up on the top sloper. Still though, it didn't feel far enough and I couldn't put enough controlled pressure on my right foot to make the far move static. Instead, it felt like I was just launching at it, making it feel nearly impossible to hold the high sloper. 
I had a couple of breaks while spotting Steven in some other nearby problems, and started to loose motivation, thinking that the "Contrôle A" might be too morpho for me. Steven's encouragement helped motivate me and I decided to give a last attempt, thinking that I probably won't again and just see where I would get. Maybe it was the feeling of letting go that made me suddenly climb very controlled. It all felt perfect. As soon as I placed the right foot at the same higher spot, I immediately felt that it was going to stay were it was this time and I was able to really push on it this time. It got me high enough to statically reach for the top sloper left hand, where it stuck. It almost felt easy, I had everything under control. Without hesitation, I matched with the right hand and knew that it was over. I topped out in slight disbelief. Another project done, and a perfect one to end 2025 with. 
Thanks again to Steven for the motivation, spotting and carrying an additional crashpad.

Fontainebleau - Buthiers Piscine - Contrôle A 7C

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