El Chorro

Flowers in the breeze with the Makinodromo in the background

We've been in El Chorro now for several days after making the all night drive from Terradets and picking up Naomi in the airport. The scenery here is drastically different from the Catalunya with lush green everywhere and endless olive groves stretching to the horizon. The weather is much warmer as well and feels like summer in the midday. We've had a few great climbing days so far at the famous Makinodromo crag but I think we'll be retreating to the shade tommorrow as it is getting too hot to climb there. 

The approach to Makinodromo is an adventure in itself which starts by walking through several train tunnels for 25 minutes or so before pounding up the steep slope to the crag for another 25. All in all a good days climbing there is hard earned. The setting is absolutely beautiful and the views are some of the best I've seen from a sport crag. Kind of what I'd imagine Ceuse in France to be like.

Naomi on the approach to Makinodromo. Almost there!

We we're lucky to have a stiff breeze on both of our days at the crag which cut the temps a little. The climbing was fantastic on tufas and a variety of other holds. I got on Porrot (7c+) and sent it 4th go! The climbing was amazing with a really cool bouldery crux. Also Naomi is crushing after training all winter and sent to of her hardest sends ever a 6b+ called Life is Sweet and another 6c! On top of that she flashed the 6b+! Siiiick! She is crushing! I'm really excited to check out another area called Desplomilandia tomorrow which is mainly in the shade and looks to have some great routes.

Some more pics!

Naomi flashing "Life is Sweet" 6b+

Leaving Terradets!

Today was our last day in Terradets and climbing at the amazing Bruixes wall. I have to say, and it seems that others agree, that this crag is maybe one of the best single sectors of sport climbing in the world. Every route I got on felt super-classic and the beautiful scenery is hard to beat! We've spent the last couple of days climbing with our friend Annika and Martin. They are living in France and made the drive down for the weekend! I really feel like I've been getting stronger and sent my first 8a+ yesterday! 

Tonight Aaron and I will start the drive down to El Chorro to meet Naomi (Yeeaah!) and climb down there for 16 days! I'm looking forward to the drive through Spain the opportunity to see a lot of the countryside. The experience over here has been incredible so far. My Spanish has been improving a little and it's been really cool to chat with people from all over the world at the crag. There have been people from Poland, Spain, France, Argentina, Portugal, England, Scotland and more! The only other place I've experienced this was in Yosemite!

The other day we dropped Jason off at the airport and Aaron and I went into Barcelona to check out the city. We walked through a lot of beautiful  old neighborhoods and went to the Picasso museum and also saw the famous La Ramlbas street as well as the Gaudi "familia" cathedral. It was a nice change of pace to be in the city and get some of that culture. 

So it's more than exciting to have over 2 weeks more to spend over here and I'll try my best to post more pictures and reports!

Here are some more pics...

Jason on "Primera Linea" 8a

Self-portrait in front of the Gaudi Cathedral

Martin at the lip of an awesome 8b we tried the last couple of days!

Spain 2!!!

I've not been so good about keeping this blog up to date but here's an update on things over here in Spain. The weather turned from amazing to colder and much more rain and even some forecasted snow! Despite the turn in weather the climbing continues to be amazing and everyone is sending hard! Jason leaves on Friday so we are resting today and will climb tomorrow whatever the weather and then drive him to the airport Friday. I think Aaron and I are going to check out some of the architecture and maybe the Picasso Museum on Friday afternoon before heading back to the climbing area. 

Most exciting is that we head down to El Chorro on Tuesday to meet Naomi and climb down there for a few weeks! I can't wait to see her and spend time together over here in Spain! It's going to be incredible!

Here are some more pics!

Our friend Frej on Primera Linea! I sent this the other day. My second 8a!

The tufas and little pockets take there toll!