Sunday, 26 February 2017

Double Crag Day - Climbing at Sax & Marin

Last day of sunny bolt clipping for a while, so decided to make the most of it. Couldn't resist going back to Sax, but also managed a bonus visit to the excellent crags of Murin as well. 

 

The weather was the best yet, so we had to pop down to the beach before heading off as it's not every day we get to dip our toes in the Med after breakfast.



It seemed even quieter than ever outside. Not even any trams as we crossed the boulevard.

 

That's the view of our pad (the right-hand block) from the waters edge. 

 

If we'd had more time we might have stayed at the beach, but time was ticking and there was first class rock to be climbed!

 

This time, there was no Sat Nav drama and we had the entire cliff to ourselves. It seemed mad to be hiking up with extra jackets in my rucksack, but once the shadows arrived, we knew it gets cold up there! The 'Alpine Attack' that Lowe Alpine have given me to test, easily fitted everything in and is super comfy to carry.

 

We started off with a brilliant climb that had a hanging belay, just inside a cave at the top of the first pitch.

 

Clare then had daunting task of leaving the comfy cave ledge and pulling through some overhangs straight off the stance - 40m above the ground. Exhilarating exposure!

 

I then had to follow and we were soon reunited at the top, feeling very happy indeed.


A quick walk down and we were ready for more of the same.

 

Once the sun moved off the main face, we re-located to the lower (and warmer) Marin, our second crag of the day, where we climbed two of the classic routes. The last one was just before it got dark, so Clare zoomed up in one giant 40m pitch to conclude our efforts of this particular trip.  




Given the very last minute decision to come here to the Costa Blanca (or Spain at all for that matter), we are both, very surprisingly pleased at how fantastic it's been. Even better, is the fact that it's also probably been one of the cheapest trips we've ever done. I'm going to do the workings out later, but it will be interesting to compare with other places. Having had such a great week, how could we have afforded not to! 

Sax - Penas del Rey:
- Super Directa 6a,5+***
- Directisima 6a** (first pitch)
- Andurina 6a,5+**

Marin - Sector Classico:
- Placa Gris 5,5+***
- Jhony 3*,4*** (in one pitch)

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