Meet Report: 19-26 March 2022.

Grey skies and a cold wind greeted arrivals at Alicante airport for the delayed and much anticipated week of sunshine and warm rock. We had been forewarned by local member David Hall and Rod and Yayoi Smith, who had arrived a day or two earlier, but what made it worse was the weather at home, shown by this screenshot frm Helen Smith’s phone.

Illness, covid and otherwise, reduced numbers from the initial full house. One member cut her losses completely and stayed at home to climb in the sunshine; another two bailed out halfway through the week. The rest toughed it out and did their best to enjoy the week.

Luckily the villa turned out to be spacious and warm so we were able to enjoy comfortable and convivial social evenings. The location in Moraira, just north of Calpe was handy for local restaurants but did have the disadvantage that it took about 20 minutes to get to the main routes out into the mountains.

Sunday 20: Rain.

Things seemed to be starting well. Breakfast was taken in sunshine by the pool but then it all went downhill.

A party drove to Pego and made a very damp ascent of the fine limestone peak of Tossal Grau, 688m, using two interesting barrancs for the ascent and descent.

Rod and Yayoi spent the day climbing the Penon de Ifach, very slippery in the wet, enjoying the rain soaked views.

Four climbers drove north to Salem only to shelter in a cave surveying the dripping crags. Climbing was out of the question.

They returned south where in clearing weather they managed three routes apiece at Toix before the rain returned.

Monday 21: Light showers and a cold wind.

A large party followed a varied route north of Denia at Les Rotes, starting along the coast path then up to the 16^th century Torre del Gerro watch tower and a return via an abandoned village development, showcasing a variety of styles of paint-sprayed graffiti. Tapas and the odd beer followed in the car park beach bar.

Another party of three visited the Penon whilst the Campions returned to Toix and managed to find some rock overhanging enough to provide shelter.

Tuesday 22: Wind and rain, cold.

The Campions, who had decided to return home the next day, found a ridiculously overhanging and even more ridiculously hard (8a) route to mess around on, doing well to reach the second bolt. They insisted they had fun.

A party of four walked along the coast to Calp, around Salinas lake with many flamingos then returned by taxi.

Another party of three traversed the Serra Gelada coastal cliffs, starting from the promenade at Benidorm. This provided a wet but very interesting and enjoyable rollercoaster of a walk with 1000m of ascent.

Rod and Yayoi spent the day shopping and cooking in preparation for a magnificent feast where we all celebrated their wedding anniversary.

Wednesday 23: Rain, wind, more rain.

A cultural visit was mounted to Valencia where a trig point was discovered at the top of St Michael’s tower in the cathedral. It was over 200 steps up so was claimed as a summit.

Two made a scenic train journey to Benidorm. Not much scenery in the rain and Benidorm was judged to be a rather dismal destination.

Four set off for the triple summited Olta massif but faced with low cloud and heavy rain remained in the pine forests for a lower level and rather uninteresting circuit.

Ann Karin and Kjetil tried their best to equal the previous night’s culinary efforts, apparently with success!

Thursday 24: It’s not raining!

Two headed to Calp to climb the Penon de Ifach with its fine views along the coast, and in the afternoon did a walk over the Tossal de Pinos ridge from the Ermita de Lleus using centuries-old Mozarabic paths.

Two climbers went back to Toix, being quick drying the only reasonable venue available. They managed five routes, even seeing their shadows cast by a watery sun around midday.

A party of three walked a fine circuit of Puig Campagna. Although the top remained in cloud they enjoyed fine conditions lower down and also saw a little sun.

The final pair went to Cap d’Or near the villa and enjoyed a lovely walk with great views.

Friday 25: light rain, cloudy.

Four went to Xalo and climbed Cau, 725m, via the wet and slippery Barranc del Cau, returning via the 3km long NW ridge which gave excellent views according to the guidebook.

Three did the so-called ‘10,000 steps’ walk from Fleix. This was a splendid round using stepped Mozarabic trails to access three 300m deep gorges involving four unbridged river crossings in wild scenery. A wild Barbary sheep was seen – a light brown goat-like animal.

David Hall joined us for a very sociable evening meal, catching up with old and new friends.

Saturday 26. Whilst everyone else set off for home, Mick and John drove up to the Hotel Rural Serella at Castell de Castells situated in the heart of the mountains. After not visiting the Castell de Guadalest nor its eponymous reservoir in the pouring rain, they arrived in time to enjoy a very late lunch – a fitting end to a very wet rest day.

Sun 27. The forecast was better prompting Mick and John to climb Penya Castellet from Castell de Castells for the fine and extensive views over the Moorish castle ruins. However, they were deprived of these by the cloud which obstinately refused to lift from the summit ridge, and the walk was completed in mist and light drizzle.

Mon 28. John and Mick originally intended to climb the Pic de Serella but the cloud base over there was even lower than before, so instead, they walked north of the hotel to the Clot de la Lacuna basin (a polje?) and extended this to include the Els Arcs circuit on a dry day with some very welcome sunshine – this was the best weather all week! Bee, marsh and purple orchids were seen and a few green hairstreak, large tortoiseshell, painted lady and small white butterflies.

Tue 29. On their last day, the sun had retreated behind more low cloud, so Mick and John did another local hike west of Benichembla to a partially ruined finca replete with working bread oven and some intricate route finding on a partially cairned goat path to join two forestry tracks.

All in all this was a very disappointing meet. We had been made to wait so long for an overseas meet and when it finally came the weather was worse than a wet week in Bradford. Never mind, there’s always next year.

Attending:

Mick Borroff, David Hick, Christine Marriott. John Sutcliffe, Ged Campion, Imogen Campion, Rod and Yayoi Smith, Michael and Helen Smith, Richard Taylor, Kjetil and Ann-Karin Tveranger, Shaun Penny, Tim Josephy.