Adventure Holidays in the UK, Spain, Scandinavia, Europe, Peru & Mexico
Telephone: +44 (0)1822 880277 • E-mail martin@spirit-of-adventure.com
Telephone: +44 (0)1822 880277 • E-mail martin@spirit-of-adventure.com
10 o'clock and it's Saturday evening in Malaga and the climbing team (Lisa, Bruce, Ronnie and Barry) are discussing the first challenge, is it going to be sugar puffs or cornflakes, hard or soft cheese, how many bottles of red or white wine and is a pound too much to pay for a bottle?!!!
Eventually we found ourselves heading out of town and on the road to Rhonda and it's nearby campsite, with our chalet base for this climbing exploration week. By now it is 2330 and time only to have a cup of tea, sort out sleeping bags and get our heads down. Myself and Ronnie opt to 'bivi out' on the veranda under the stars.
Sunday morning finds us heading west through the corkoak forests to Grazalema, our objective being the alpine style traverse of the 'Penon Grande'. For this first day we climbed in two teams. Barry and Ronnie, taking alternate leads, Bruce and Lisa gained 'a feel' for the limestone and get to know our fellow climbers. We reached the ridge just after lunch and proceeded south towards the col, separating the ridge from the main summit, our intended descent. At around 3 o'clock it started to rain and we decided to drop own the west side of the ridge and make our way back to base. After a welcome cup of tea (can of beer for Barry) and a shower, it's off down to Rhonda to enjoy the culinary delights on offer in this lovely old fortress town.
Monday's venue is El Chorro, famous for its walkway, (a rickety crumbling path, loosely attached to the side of a cliff about 200ft up!!) and it's climbing. The train link to Malaga makes this an attractive venue for local climbers and visiting climbers without transport. We were heading for a large nearby crag to test our skills on the bolted routes, this gave everybody a chance to 'have a go' at leading in a safe environment. Rippling muscles and artistic poses were the order of the day, until a short sharp hail storm sent us packing for a well earned beer. The evening's entertainment?, Lisa's turn to order the evening meal in Spanish and Barry's excellent Michael Caine impersonations.
Tuesday, the normal morning visit to the local shop for fresh bread, tomatoes, cheese and crisps for the days provisions. Then off to Puerto de Viento (pass of the winds) for a splendid days climbing in lovely, hot sunshine. Bruce found this an ideal location to improve his protection placing and leading skills, Lisa's first ever lead on a bolted route, whilst Barry and Ronnie were chasing each other up bolted routes with the usual energetic banter.
Wednesday, off to Benaocaz a really beautiful area in the middle of Grazalema national park. A superb venue for an instructional day, Lisa getting to grips with placing protection (giving me a few more grey hairs whilst discovering that she has to hold on at the same time). Then onto improvised rescue, discussions on the uses of a clove hitch, figure of eight, a bunny ears and the famous 'John, can you run that past me again' make this a very worthwhile and fun session. Our thanks to Lisa for 'volunteering' to dangle on the end of the rope and be rescued. A 130ft, mostly free abseil rounded this instructional day off nicely.
Thursday, a big challenge day today as we set out to climb the 800ft main face of the Penon Grande, not so much technically difficult but a very long day on rock. Climbing as two teams, everybody got to lead and we all topped out together just in time to enjoy a stunning sunset, what a finish to a quality mountain day. Luckily a full moon made the walk back down a delightful experience arriving back to Grazalema for a welcome glass of beer and much needed sustenance. We were also joined by Spirit of Adventure walking guide, Jo, who lives in Grazalema, displaying slight concern at a very late arrival off the hill!!
Friday, our last day and back to El Chorro, firstly to walk!! a section of the famous 'kings walkway'. Barry demonstrating his ability to walk along a two foot rotting concrete path with his eyes firmly fixed on an imaginary point somewhere in space, and Ronnie posing for photograph's looking 'ard' but casual must be good value!!! Then it's a walk back down the railway line (this is Spain!) trying to decide which parts where used in 'Von Ryan's Express' and on to the station bar for lunch. We finished the day off, rather wearily, on some safely bolted routes in brilliant sunshine.
A good trip enjoying mostly good weather, everybody gaining experience and new skills. I'm sure that on receipt of the many photos taken everybody will have memorable moments to share with friends and family.