Since 2006 I have taken clients all over the world guiding and leading them on mountaineering expeditions and trips.
This November it was a pleasant change to find myself in Siruana, Spain with Chris. We had two days to tick off a load of routes and improve Chris’s lead climbing in the process.
I had been out for a few days, getting to know the area and bagging some climbs whilst I was “having a look”. We based ourselves in the village of Cornudella de Montsant, an hour and forty five from Barcelona.
Siruana Village and crags in the evening light.
The village is a great spot for the visiting climber, food shops, bars, accommodation and the famous Bakery, which is a warm internet cafe/bakery. Perfect.
Chris has been climbing with me for a while now, and it’s always a pleasure to measure his rapid progress. These days he just needs pointing at a climb and he’ll give it a bash on the lead. The challenge for me is finding the right climbs that suit the style we’re working on, be it slabby technical footwork, or steeper ground where body positioning is important.
The mental aspects of lead climbing or taking on climbs outside of someone’s comfort zone is a fascinating subject and one that I work on with Chris during all his climbing. It’s a fine line to push someone mentally, go too far and you’re often back to square one….
The first full day Chris and I had was bitterly cold to start, a cold wind was blowing from the north and we did our best to search out the sun and some shelter from the wind.
Chris leading at Arboli
This was all about getting some millage in for Chris, and we did around twelve routes from Fr4 to Fr6b, with Chris climbing onsight, Redpointing and top roping. We climbed near Arboli a good little crag just ten minutes drive from our village.
That night we had our meal out, read the guidebook and made big plans for Sunday. Chris wasn’t due to fly until the evening and we had time to get some good routes done whilst still making the plane….
It was time to head to some longer routes, of around 30m for Chris to lead and top rope. After two or three shorter routes we got on the long stuff, with Chris leading a big pitch of Fr4+ before having a burn seconding me on some harder stuff nearby.
Chris starting his big pitch.
That ended a Chris trip to Siruana. There’s great potential in the whole region, and we’ll be there next year, watch this space!
Here’s a few pictures from the rest of my trip, it’s easier taking photos when your not belaying! Thanks to Nick, Pa, Sarah, Helen, Rob, Andy, Nick, Lorraine, Emma and Mike for the climbing!
