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+