Despite the forecast predictions of a grey and wet day, we optimistically set off to our local crag - the big slabs of Turon. The drive there was easy and quick, although we did hesitate momentarily before turning off the smooth tarmac to descend the track to the nearby farm as a huge, deep looking muddy puddle looked big enough to loose the hire car in. After a depth inspection by Clare, using a stick from a nearby tree, it was deemed an acceptable risk and sloshed through with only some mud splashing on the white exterior.
Although nice and dry, the wind was howling across the slabs. It was fine at the base, but once we gained some height, there was nothing in the way of shelter.
We climbed a two pitch route to start, although I bailed out of completing the final moves as it involved some very balanced moves, which I decided were unnecessarily adrenaline inducing given the buffeting wind.
There were plenty of other lower pitches that were slightly less exposed, so we moved onto these instead.
Apart from a team of three Irish climbers, we were the only people in the entire valley. Amazingly, it seemed to be raining either side of the cliffs, but we stayed dry. Every now and then a few spots of rain would blow in on the breeze, causing a few concerned looks, but it stayed dry.
They were too high up to photograph properly with an iPhone, but Vultures soared above our heads while we were climbing.
They were enormous and I hoped they were not too hungry....
Later in the afternoon, the winds got stronger and the rain got closer. We decided to call it a day and not push our luck any further.
We walked back through the bushes to the old farm.
Luck was on our side once again. Having negotiated the muddy track and got the Fiat Panda back on the tarmac and insurable ground, we headed home. The road wiggled and wound around the hillside and once we were back near Ardales, the road was already wet and the rain began falling. Perfect timing...
Turon - Tajos de la Laja:
- Julay Lama, 5c***
- Floja y pendulona, 5c***
- Coxy's Climb, 6a+**
No comments:
Post a Comment