Vipèr au Pied is a superb rock climb near the village of Barberine, in France. The climb is actually in Switzerland, just behind the french border (the borders runs more or less along a stream that you cross on a mountain path a few meters passed Barberine). About 300 m long, completely re-bolted (just follow the yellow anodized bolts), it has several pitches quoted around 6a+/6b. The terrain is technical and protection are sometimes a little long, so you really need to have a solid 6a (harder steps are well protected and you often can "pull"). The only problem is that the start is a little hard to find unless you know the area very well: the paths tend to fade when they go across the rocky terrain and there are forks of these without any clear indication (study well the approach on a map at home!). I strongly recommend descending on foot and not rappelling because the route down is short and comfortable, while the route is old and rappells are not aligned.

I had the privilege to go on this climb with friend and photographer Marco Spataro and his young client Fred, while I was tied in with Laurence de la Ferrière. Marco introduced me to Laurence in the morning and we got along very well. Later during the day, I found out who she really was, and I felt really proud of having been climbing with such a personality! At the age of 51, Laurence looks in her late thirties, is in perfect physical shape, and is an extremely nice person. I really wish I will have other opportunities to go climbing with her before she leaves, again, for Antarctica.