Les Bossons

Crag Summary

It is quite amusing that we spent a few days in Chamonix, nestled in the French Alps – most famous for its mountaineering but certainly with much cragging opportunity too – and we ended up bouldering in a forest on our way out! Our time in Chamonix was focussed on my partner’s UTMB trail-running so the crags needed to wait… and we would have missed Les Bossons too except that the Mont-Blanc tunnel was closed and therefore we needed to exit France further south.

Looking for an activity before a big drive, Les Bossons was a convenient stop. It’s not exciting route climbing with views but it ended up being a lovely morning in a shaded, peaceful forest. Prominent boulders, some with lovely flat bases, perfect for picnicking and playing too.

• Style: Bouldering
• Parking: 45.90362, 6.84661 – a little bit of a squeeze with big vehicles…
• Topo and Approach details: We turned up without a topo and simply climbed what we liked the look of. Some of the holds are literally painted which gives gym vibes. thecrag.com gives some ideas of grades/climbs. With more planning we’d have asked at the ‘Office de Haute Montagne‘ too.
• We visited on: Tuesday, 3rd September 2024
• Who else was there: all to ourselves

Nearby

Chamonix is a mountain-lovers paradise. If you’re rock-climbing you’ll be here outside of the ski-season. Cable cars and views galore, including the famous ‘Mer de Glace ice cave’ which the kids enjoyed.

Some of the local crags that caught my eye for the family include:

• Servos – similar to Les Gaillands in terms of convenient road-side, easy climbs.
• Le Brevant – accessed easily via 2 cable cars (so there is a cost associated) and a short walk. Looks like a lovely vert cliff face with never-ending views.
• Les Joux – looks like it has views, river, shade – a range of climbs, potentially on the shorter side.
• Aguille l’Argentiere – a longer walk in but looks like an incredible rock feature that would be a very fun outing.