The weather perked up, and so did the spirits. Teams set off for all points of the climbing compass, with Helen leading the biggest party to Murla, a few car-loads going to Gandia and Guadalest, and others making exploratory forays elsewhere.
Hamish and I teamed up, with a couple of possible objectives in mind: A route on the Penyon or a trip down to the Pirates of the Caribbean Sea caves. With no coin to hand, we resolved our indecision by flipping a table mat instead, which came up ‘wine stain’ so we headed for the Penyon.
Mare Nostrum takes an unlikely line up extraordinary territory to the easterly (right hand ) summit.
Nine pitches and about 300m of climbing, I was already beginning to question the wisdom of the casual start as we uncoiled ropes at 12.30 – especially as I’d agreed to cook for the multitudes that evening. No pressure there then!
There’s no chance to warm up – the first pitch is the crux, 35m of gently overhanging 7a+ up cracks and pockets, slightly soapy from the sea fret.
A bulging 6c+ pitch followed leading into a spectacular world of caves – a succession of house-sized hollows through which the pioneers had traced an unlikely series of pitches of 5+ to 6b+ on generally sound but outrageously steep rock!
Conscious of the abuse I’d get if dinner wasn’t served promptly at 8pm, I was relieved to top out just after 5pm. After a jog down through the last remains of the tourist walkers and then a diversion back to the foot of the route to retrieve our gear, we were back and chopping veg by 7 🙂
With some careful juggling of tables we had 26 squeezed in for Fennel and Salami pasta. Smiles all round and tales of sunny cragging from everyone – the mood no doubt assisted by lashings of beer and wine.
Well well well. The prodigal son returns. Hamish Haynes no less. Full circle. Did he have his bike with him?