More Sunny Bolt Clipping

20th February - Gandia Crag

We spent a few hours on Sunday morning on Pena Roja (Gandia), our local crag. We began with 2 'easyish' routes, one of which is a bit of a Gandia classic - Pequeno Saltamontes (5) - as it begins by climbing directly up a vertical hole before emerging onto the face above!

Finished the morning with a battle by top roping 'La Insoportable - 6a'

26th February - Montesa

We spent last Saturday on Montesa Crag. Whilst this is limestone, it's much more sandy than the usual Costa Blanca rock so offers much better friction. It's located close to Xativa (in the interior of Valencia) in a superb spot, next to a castle and overlooking the village of Montesa.

Apart from the main crag, there's also a huge block of rock (16m in height) called Tormo Gros that provides a further 30+ routes. The other advantage is that there's a choice of climbing either in the sun or the shade.

We enjoyed a great day out and climbed a total of 6 routes, including 2 x 4s, 1 x 5 and 3 x 5+s.

Barnsley Boundary 3

The third section of the Barnsley Boundary walk goes from Brierley to Bolton upon Dearne. From the outskirts of Brierley the route goes through pleasant fields and woods to the east of Grimethorpe. Luckily we had the warmest day of the year so far to do the walk.

Leaving Brierley

Tom Bank Wood

Approaching West Haigh Wood

The walk continues through West Haigh Wood a pleasant open mixed birch and oak wood with patches of snowdrops.

West Haigh Wood

On leaving the wood a short stretch of road leads to Howell Wood and across to Challenger Wood where we saw our first butterfly of the season. As far as I remember it is the first time that I have seen a butterfly and snowdrops on the same day. 

We proceeded across fields to the village of Clayton and across fields round the north east of Thurnscoe and through Phoenix Park, an old colliery site to Goldthorpe. Goldthorpe has a notable example of early re-inforced concrete construction in the anglican church which was built in 1913.

The concrete church at Goldthorpe

From Goldthorpe a stretch of boggy fields took us to the finish at Bolton upon Dearne station car park. 

Rock Climbing in The Winter Sun

On Saturday 12th February, Carolina and I spent a morning climbing with a Spanish friend, (Ruben) on the crag at Salem. Salem is 20 minutes drive from Gandia and has the luxuries of 1 - being able to park the car at the base of the crag, 2 - having the choice of sunny or shady crags, 3 - providing great views over the Valley of Albaida.

Collectively, we completed 5 routes in the grades 3+ to 4+.

Salem is an excellent set of crags located in a narrow but pretty gorge. There are over 130 routes, spread across 6 separate walls.

Carolina proudly carried on the Arete tradition (pioneered and later turned into an art form by Clive) of climbing all morning without any problems then falling on her backside on the path back to the car! Even though we're far away, we do our best to keep the Arete spirit alive and well!!

Aviemore

Geal-charn Mor is a Corbett lying within walking distance of Aviemore town centre, on a previous attempt to climb it we had been repulsed by very deep snow and time and energy running out. This was my objective for Saturday while Christine, Nick and Jago attempted Meall Chuaich, a Munro, from Drumochter.
The approach to Geal-charn Mor is via the Burma Road, a wide track leading over a bleak col to the Dulnain valley.

The Burma Road

Geal-charn Mor is a bit like Black Hill with snow and from the col steady slopes lead easily to the summit.

Geal-charn Mor summit.

On returning to the col I was in good time so I continued to Geal-charn Beag before walking back to Aviemore.
Meanwhile Christine, Nick and Jago climbed their Munro which was of a similar character but was enlivened by spotting a pair of ptarmigan.

Summit Team

 On Sunday Jago and me decided that an attempt on Creag Dhubh near Newtonmore was suitable for a short day before returning home.We had both climbed on the crags there on previous occasions but had never climbed the hill.



The crags of Creag Dhubh.

 The ascent was totally different to the previous day with steep slopes leading to a rocky ridge with excellent views over Strathspey.

The view from the ridge.

Creag Dhubh summit.

Nick was imbued with fresh enthusiasm for the Munros after finding out that he had ten less to do than he thought so insisted on doing Carn na Caim and A'Bhuidheanach Bheag before returning home.