Coasta Blanca Trip

 

In late January, club members Pete Holland, Pete Kelly, Dave Kyle, Paul Moore, Mhairi Cameron and, soon to be club member, Geoff Schofield enjoyed a week of climbing in the Coasta Blanca. They stayed in Calpe and were spoiled by the good weather, climbing almost every day.

 

Sport climbing was to had at Echo Valley, Sella, Toix, Gandia and Pego, whilst a  day’s VS trad climbing on the Penon Difac was a trip highlight for me (and a memorable experience for Geoff as his first exposed multi pitch climb of this type - well done Geoff!)

 

Pete Holland impressed us by on sighting the steep, overhanging and polished Fisure tal, at Gandia, in extremely hot conditions, whilst Pete Kelly deceived me into trying   the short yet technical and strenuous Bolt Tax, 6a+ at Sella by making it look so easy After several rests, falls and exclamations, I did just manage to reach the lower off. I must say that Paul didn’t have the chivalry to make the route look even remotely difficult after my efforts!

 

Paul, Pete and Pete’s lead on pitch 3 of the Penon was also noteworthy due to the thuggy and technical nature of the moves which would seem more suited to gritstone then very, very, very polished limestone!!

 

And no trip to the Coasta Blanca would be complete without a visit to see the sites of Benidorm, which were... well... insightful I should say - a cultural experience of sorts!

 

At this time of the year, we were lucky to have many of the crags to ourselves and with the brilliant weather, we were very happy with our trip.

Mhairi Cameron.

Cover pic:

This is  Pete on Fisur Tal,

at Gandia

 

 This is Pete on  Fisure Tal, at Gandia