UKC

Has anyone been on a trip to Ariège and can recommend places to stay/climb and logistics etc.?
I'm trying to plan a trip for a group of approximately 12-15 climbers, looking for some low to mid grade sport routes (F4-7a) and some decent multi-pitch.
I'm considering flying to Toulouse and potentially staying in Tarascon sur Ariège for 9-10 days.

Any advice or experience?

In reply to blackreaver:
We've stayed several times at Chez Arran, http://www.chezarran.com/ which is brilliant, and should be able to accommodate you all across mutliple apartments. Anywhere near Tarascon makes a good base, but you will need cars to get to the crags. The standout crags for low-grade stuff (say F4 - F6a+) are Auzat and Calames, both with several days worth of climbing, but there's plenty other decent venues including Appy, Ax Piscine and Sinsat. Above F6a+ you have even more choice. The Rockfax guide is pretty good and comprehensive. If you need to give your fingers a rest, there are lots of lovely non-technical peaks in the area that can be done as day walks.

In reply to blackreaver:

A second recommendation for Chez Arran, and the climbing nearby. There are some routes within walking distance, but having your own transport would massively expand your options. We found hitching an easy way to get round, but it probably wouldn't be practical if there were 15 of you all heading to the same crag!

In reply to blackreaver:
It's an amazing place! I tried to get in to Chez Arran but it was booked up ages in advance. Stayed in a campsite there near there, one of the bigger ones and it was fine, although I was in a camper rather than a tent.

In reply to blackreaver:

While grateful for the recommendations I'm not certain we'll be able to accommodate a group of that size this summer. Reason is that we've moved ourselves into the main house (selfish I know!) We're currently converting a barn into another large place to rent but we can't guarantee that it will definitely be ready by the summer so we aren't taking bookings for it just yet. We have 4 smaller apartments to rent so maybe we have enough space for you all but you'd have to check our calendar at http://www.chezarran.com/calendar.html to make sure. Another good alternative for that size of group could be http://www.basecalames.com/ , which is also well placed for the climbing and run by English climbers.

In terms of climbing at those grades in August, the obvious single-pitch venue is Auzat, but there are plenty of smaller crags that can be fine in hot weather too, especially those a little higher up. As you get higher in the grades (mid 6s and above) there are lots more shady options on the shaded valley crags too. If it's cloudy then Calamès or Sinsat are very fine choices for all grades (but not in the summer sun). The limestone multi-pitch is all pretty hot in summer but the granite can be perfect. The Dent d'Orlu is the jewel and highly recommended, but I'd recommend slogging up to Bassiès too as it's a brilliant location.

In reply to Sam W:

And a third recommendation for Chez Arran.

JW

In reply to john arran:

We stayed at http://www.basecalames.com/ and I'd thoroughly recommend it - but you might like to take earplugs if you're a light sleeper, the nearby church bells keep ringing every hour (or is it every half hour?) all through the night!

In reply to blackreaver:

Thanks very much for the recommendations. I'll have a look at the suggested locations.