We've had a full house, with Tom & Astrid, Sarah & Paul all focusing on mountain running during their stay and for Sarah winning a big race locally - top effort! Whilst Jo & Steve have been out climbing with me most days. After our mountaineering day on the Ponoch, we followed with a more leisurely day of cragging at Cabezon d'Oro. It was good to be focusing solely on climbing and clipping bolts.
And for Tuesday it was more cragging. This time at the ever popular Sierra de Toix near Calpe. I think it was 6 routes led for Jo & Steve, nice one.
Wednesday took us back to the mountains, after all these two are adventures first, bolt clippers second. Surely the best way to be.The long and weaving ridge climb of 'Arista al Forat de la Forada' goes at about UK Severe standard and provides loads of great climbing in a beautiful setting. To finish there is an abseil through the large forat (whole in the rock) which always proves to be a winner.
On Thursday Jo & Steve headed out to the nearby Alcalali crag, whilst me & Kate also enjoyed a day of sport climbing at Las Cerrezas crag near Tarbena. By now the weather has become really really warm!!!
Friday arrives and after a good and productive day of climbing for Jo & Steve we decided to round the week off with a climb on the iconic El Peñon d'Ifach that dominates any view in the Calpe area.
The warm weather made the north face simply perfect for climbing and we enjoyed 7 glorious pitches of VS climbing taking us right up to the summit trig point.
And of course, Friday night here in La Llosa de Camacho wouldn't be complete without a trip to Bar Emilio and tonight we were a table of almost 20 celebrating Rachels 25th Birthday. Wow, what a night. Much food, more drinking, and even more dancing. After a week of climbing and adventuring it's just what we all needed.
Big thanks to all who joined us this week and to everyone who joined us this winter here in Costa Blanca. Kate returns to the UK on Tuesday and I'll be just a few days behind her. It's been an incredibly good winter, with almost constant sunshine from early November. We've had the pleasure of welcoming and climbing so many people yet again this year and we thank you all wholeheartedly.
Looking forward to see many of you in the Lake District over the summer and again this coming autumn back in sunny Costa Blanca.
Mark & Kate
