We’d been to this crag near Orihuella about 10 years ago, and I’d come away with a lasting memory of an excellent 6c+ up an orange corner, and a feeling we should go back for more – but couldn’t remember too much else.

How poor our memories were became apparent as we repeated our previous errors (funny how you always remember AFTERWARDS) in finding the crag – clue: head for Pinear de Bonanza and look out for signs for picnic site, hopefully arriving at the sign shown below.

As we warmed up on a couple of “easier” routes, other memories returned, including a general sand baggieness about the grading. Things went downhill rapidly, with attempts at a numbers of 7s being repulsed within the first few bolts, and I finally threw in the towel when I ended up stick clipping on a 6b+ in an effort to retrieve abandoned draws. Not my finest day’s climbing 😦