A short drive from where we are staying is the famous El Chorro Gorge. If you follow the bumpy tarmac road around the hillside, the next port of call is a small town called Valle de Abdalajis and the site of our chosen crags. The routes are all made of a limestone that has weathered in a way that it is covered in big diagonal cracks, like vertical crazy paving.
Getting up to the cliffs, involved a very tight turn in the narrow streets, before continuing onto another dirt track. We were going to park at the end of the tarmac, but pushed on a little further until the road became too rutted. The base of the cliffs were just a short walk away and had amazing views for mile around.
There were a few fossils in the rock and as we climbed a band struck up a tune in the town. The sound of drums and trumpets echoing around us was bizarre. We never did find out what the celebration was? Winter solstice?....
We thought we'd be climbing slab routes here, but the sector we had chosen was considerably steeper than anticipated - and much harder!
The weather alternated between sunny, overcast and drizzly, but the temperature remained around 18 degrees, which felt freakishly warm. Was great to be in T-Shirts.
There was a celebration in full swing back at the village, when we arrived home. The Christmas tree was lit, a log fire was roaring and the whole town had turned out to listen to the Choir sing on the steps of the town hall.
There was a nice festive feel as people sang merrily along with the choir. Some drummers keep the beat going and we were in the minority of people who had neglected to bring a tambourine or bell along to join in. It's probably just a regular Saturday night in Ardales. Fun times...
Valle de Abdalajis
- Artelo Martelo, 5a** (harder!)
- El Asesino, 4b
- Fisuras armoniosas, 6a+***
- Right Turn, 6a*** (40m)
- Adherrencia extrema, 4c*
- La Mejo, 5a*
- Lefty, 5c**
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