Boxing Day 2017 was a spent climbing one of the biggest cliffs above Leonidio. The weather remained stable, so we decided to go for a bit route while we could. The views of distant snow capped mountains as we walked to the base of the cliff were amazing and crystal clear.
We’d made a bit of an effort to get going in the morning, but were far from rushing. We enjoyed juicing fresh oranges and taking breakfast out on the balcony first, so it was well past 11am by the time Clare set off up the first pitch.
We moved fast up the ridge that marks the edge of the main cliff, following the line of bolts to one belay after another. We were soon high above the ground, overlooking the town and out to sea.
The last couple of pitches had the most exposure, as the route followed a crest of rock, with a drop on either side. The wind suddenly picked up here too and when a small cloud covered the sun, the temperature suddenly dropped.
Clare led over the summit head wall and we were glad to be sitting on flat ground after seven pitches of climbing. The views were fab - we could see right out to where we’d swam in the sea in Christmas morning.
We’d climbed the route in two hours, with barely a rest along the way. We hungrily ate some sandwiches on top while enjoying the view.
Having climbed the route with only a single 70m rope, we had to abseil down the way we had come. After a tense start off the windy pinnacle, we got it into the flow of our well practiced systems. I’d search out the next belay and thread, while Clare pulled down the ropes. Repeat.
Bit by bit, we descended to the warmer cliff base, buzzing with our achievements.
As we walked away, the evening sun glowed gold and red on the orange rock above.
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