last days in rodellar

We are starting to fade.  Monday was the first rest day that we didn't feel the need to go for a run or a long walk, or investigate some nearby piece of heritage.  In fact, all we both wanted was proper rest day and a proper rest is what we had:  we got up nice and late, had a leisurely coffee (well I did), a leisurely lunch, then a leisurely (you get my drift) stroll about 100m from the campsite to the river, where we sat/lay for the next few hours reading books, listening to music and going for icy dips in the river (well that is, I (Carole) went for a swim, it was "too cold" for Andrew, as he dipped his little finger in and thought  he would lose it to frost bite!). 

Chilled out walk around the lake

Fully rested we hit El Camino (one of the crags for all you non-climbers) with the intention of working a 6c I tried a few days prior, to find out we'd read the guide book wrong and in fact the route was 6b+, utter disappointment.   However, I got my act together and we warmed up and took a look at a couple of other 6c's, the first although I got all the moves, the crux was a huge span that I wasn't confident in wiring in a day.  The second, just suited...a polished slab to start (not the nicest of starts, but there was enough) leading to a short thin vertical with a slightly reachy move to a jug (the crux), upwards on steep overhanging terrain for about 12 meters to a bulge and then finally the chains.  3 attempts (one lead bolt to bolt, one top rope clean and my redpoint) and it was mine.  After this Andrew got onto a 7a+ he'd been eyeing up for a few days.  He got all the moves first go, but unfortunately ran out of skin, energy and green beans (ask Dave for the info on climbing green beans - for too technical to go into here!).   A multiple rest day was needed.

Lying down after belaying Andrew, I must be getting tired

Today proved too much for our muscles.... too tired to climb, we both dogged our way up a 6b we'd done the day before and then gave up.  We've no skin left on our finger tips, no energy in our muscles and my back is twinged and playing up.  A multiple rest day is needed so we went home (home to our big tent - you know you are on the road when your tent becomes your home).


So we move on tomorrow, to Albarracin, to meet up with Dave and Caroline for a little bouldering before we embark on the long, long, long (did I mention) long, long, long, long journey home - +2500km!