Jurassic Park Rock Climbs - Tabares

An amazing day of trad climbing in a lost world style valley! With no other climbers around and hidden in a remote feeling area, we felt like explorers in Jurassic Park. But first, we tested out the waters by the house with a little early morning swimming. 

Despite appearances suggesting otherwise, it was certainly cold enough to warrant a shorty wetsuit. (Although not all of us had this luxury with them!). 

As always, once you're in, it's ok, but it did feel a little 'bracing' at first! (Especially for those of us just in shorts!). The water was shallow to start, then dropped into a deep channel where the water was a deep turquoise colour. Very refreshing and a great start to a December day! 

Then it was off on a mini climbing adventure. The photo in the guidebook looked good, but the translated text was less complimentary. We however, loved it!

The climbing at Tabares is all on columns of old lava, which turned out to be good and solid as well as having plenty of cracks in which to place protection. And over 30m high.

It was only a short walk, but felt adventurous, after all, we don't normally have to dodge cactus and other strange plants on the way to a climb...

The base of the crag was perfect for sorting kit, admiring the views and soaking up the wonderful heat. There has been no wind today for the first time, so the air has felt much hotter.

You could belay in the sun, yet climb on the cool shady rock! Perfect!

Clare led a semi-bolted route, then after abseiling back to the ground, I led another trad route nearby. It's always a more adventurous ascent when you don't have bolts to follow!

Later in the afternoon, we decided to go exploring by car to check out the northern tip of the island, which is much greener and forested, compared to the south.

From Carmen, we hike on foot out to a couple of spectacular viewpoints. From the first we could see Mt Teide and the barren slopes of the highest point in Tenerife (and Spain for that matter). Then after hiking eastwards we were rewarded with views of a different kind. Lush green ridges and impenetrable forests that ran right down to the coast.

We sat alone at the viewpoint for nearly 45 minutes soaking up both heat from the low sun and all the views. As we were sitting quietly without talking, a Tenerife 'Blue Chaffinch' landed nearby!

We made it back to the pad just as the sun was setting, so took a cold drink out to the breakwater to watch the last of the light and the wisps of cloud turn pink.

Tabares:

- Placa Bachar (5+)**

- Fissure Pepe Rigueira VS (4c)**