A Spanish multipitch tasting menu
On our most recent van trip through Spain we joined up with Wolf for some time and picked up our joined multipitch climbing where we left off the year before in France. Without much planning ahead we sampled climbs in Aragon, Navarra and the Basque Country.
Seven routes in Agüero, Riglos, Etxauri, Dos Hermanas, Aiztondo, Untzillatx and Cabo Ogono
We met up in Agüero, where Brigitte and I had been before, and jumped right onto the first climb. A four pitch 5c with tons of bolts that made for a fun and very chill outing. Still a good introduction to the conglomerate rock and other particularities of the area.
The next day Wolf and I drove the short distance to Riglos and climbed a much more engaging (e.g. less well protected and generally wilder) 130m line on Aguja Roja. This freestanding pillar has it all: Steep, adventurous climbing (and slightly scary), stunning views and three up to 50m rappels to get back down.
After having our fix of conglomerate rock we moved the circus on to Etxauri, close to Pamplona. Back on more familiar limestone we first climbed a five pitch 6a on Torreón and chased it with the famous rock needle el Huso (5c, 40m). This area alone would be worth a two week stay.
Next up: A slightly irregular 6a line on the smaller of the Dos Hermanas north of Pamplona. Even though the climbing was not perfect the setting itself is really nice and just dodging the incoming rain made for a good day out.
Just a bit further west the Aiztondo wall has dozens of four to five pitch medium grade lines on offer and we picked another 6a with nice consistent difficulty all the way up. A great area if you want to train your multipitch and climbing skills at the same time.
North of Vitoria-Gasteiz the Untzillatx peak is a real alpine objective with jaw dropping panoramas, tricky approaches and descents and serious climbing. Our 6a line started with some delicate slab climbing, went into a slightly loose and strenuous corner and up though broken blocks to the summit.
The last climb of our joined time with Wolf was yet another 6a right over the Bizcaya sea on Cabo Ogono. Adventurous and very exposed this route starts half way up the 250 meter high face that drops right into the Atlantic. Excellent climbing (high in the 6a grade) in such a setting - perfection.
In nine days we climbed seven routes and 30+ pitches in seven different areas without any major hiccups. I would call that: Time very well spent.
Adventurers: Brigitte, Wolf and Bengt