Ricard and I head to his home in Catalunya for the most intensive climbing trip I've ever had- about 1600ft of climbing, 18 routes, in 3 1/2 days. Climbed with David and Olga whilst there, meeting up with quite a few familiar faces from friends who visited them in Chester too. I had a lot of fun :¬)
(coloured text are links to videos)
Day 1:
Siurana (Sector La Siuranella)
Below: enlarge the photo, and spot the climbers in the middle- this is one BIG cliff..
2 French Mountain guides were trying this 7c+ route all day- they tried
VERY hard
Day 2: Margalef
First view of the stunning conglomerate rock of Margalef
Below: No trick photography- there is a route accross this 40m (130ft) overhang- 8c+ apparently...
Below: Ricard climbs what was one of the finest routes all weekend, an incredible 6b+
Olga pleased as punch to have made the best progress on this 6b+ that she's ever made
Ricard and I climb this fantastic 7a
Day 3: La Mussarra
(Sector TV crags)
Another handful of long, very high quality routes- glad I had a 70 meter rope for this trip- most routes were 30 meters+. View from the top of the crag here was incredible- you can apparently see the Balearics on a clear day.
Below: Monastero De Poblet: 5 mins from Ricardo, David and Olga's home town of L'Espluga De Francoli
Day 4: La Riba
(Sector La Directa)
Still had time for three 3 star routes on this incredible crag before eating our lunch by the river and heading back to the UK (and rain).
What an incredible trip- so many thanks to Olga, Ricardo, David, their family (for making me so welcome, letting us run around in their car, and running us to the airport, and giving us food and drink and a place to sleep). - I miss, and will miss my Spanish friends so much. In fact so much, that I'm already planning my next visit- I hope you're ready ;¬)
