View from Buena Sombra, Desplomandia
What a week this has been so far! Saturday we had a rest day, and we actually slept in until 9 and then did some stuff around the place where we're staying. I wanted to take a nap because I was still jet lagged, so I went up to our tent to read and sleep for a while. I knew it would be warm up there, so I opened up all of the flaps and hoped for a breeze every now and then. I don't know how long I slept for, but the sun came in the tent, and was shining on my side for an extended period of time. When Matt came up to see how I was doing, I was massively dehydrated and feeling pretty terrible. On top of that, my face was completely red, and my whole right side burning hot and red as well. I think I got either sun poisoning or heat stroke, and I suffered for the rest of Saturday and most of Sunday before starting to feel better.
The one good thing about Saturday though was that Matt and I took a hike up to the Poema de Roca cave in the afternoon (we thought that maybe if I got out moving I might feel a bit better). The cave is very impressive with a number of difficult routes that come out it, and a few routes I think I might have a chance at doing. We'll see but I look forward to getting the chance to find out.
I ended up with a massive headache, which wouldn't quit, and then Sunday just felt completely drained, like I needed about 10 hours of sleep. After eating breakfast and seeing how I did, I made the wise decision to rest for another day, and actually had a nice morning with three Irish men who were resting as well. We sat around and drank tea and chatted about the world. They were pretty cool. In the afternoon Matt actually came back to see how I was doing, and we went out for some lunch. We also tried to go grocery shopping, which is difficult here on a Sunday because everything is closed. We weren't too excited about that, but we've been making due. These towns are so small that they don't have ATMs and there are also no credit card machines in any of the stores or restaurants. You have to have cash for everything, which is difficult to get when there are no ATMs.
Yesterday I woke up and I felt great! I made the decision to start drinking only bottled water because my body wasn't doing well on the tap water, and also I think the rest I got the two days before really helped me to overcome my jet lag and heat stroke. The temperatures are getting pretty warm here, so we decided to try to find some shade. We ended up at this nice crag called Desplomandia, which is a bit of a drive, but high up in this pass and looking out over green lakes (the minerals in the water combined with the sunlight make the water a brilliant green)! It is another beautiful place to climb, which I think will just be the case for the rest of the trip.
The sector we climbed at is called Buena Sombra, which means Good Shade, and indeed it is great shade! So good we need to wear pants and big puffy jackets to stay warm in between climbs. The coolness is welcome though after climbing in the sun. I think we might be seeking out shade more for the rest of the trip. I sent my hardest climb yesterday, a 7a (5.11d) which was very exciting! I got it on my second go, and thought it was pretty hard for the grade. Everyone who climbed it agreed yesterday that it should probably be rated a 7a+ (5.12a). It was still fun though with some pretty technical movements which I enjoy a lot.
I also flashed a 6c called Yogur de Coco, which climbed out on a big tufa with a puddle for a jug at the top of it! The hold was so good that it didn't matter that there was a bowl of water waiting for you.
Today we headed out to the same place. Aaron had to take the day off because his skin is pretty sore, but we did have the company of the British boys we met here at La Finca. They are really funny, and provide great entertainment all day. They climbed with us yesterday as well, and are unfortunately going home to England tomorrow. We'll definitely miss their positive energy, but it has been great to get to know them a bit. The climbing today was pretty fun, and I onsighted two climbs including a 6b+ (5.11a) called Buena Sombre. It ended up being a pretty solid send, and I really enjoyed the whole route. At the top of the climb you had to get up into a humungous undercling inside a tufa, and then climb on crimps for a few meters. The end was a jug haul to the anchor. Super fun route!
I also got on a 7a+ that I think I will get my next try. I have it all down except for one move. I will definitely get it the next time we go there when I am fresh. I ended up falling at the crux today and biting my lip a little. Its sore, but I think I will make it! We are all looking forward to a rest day tomorrow when we can let our bodies and skin recover a bit. I think we are going to head in to Granada and check out La Alhambra which is a really incredible mosque there. I went there when I was in high school, but I think I will appreciate it a lot more this time around.
Anyway, things are going great here! I really look forward to getting some more climbing in and sending more hard routes!! It is awesome to see all my training and hard work paying off. I feel really strong, and it is being validated in my climbing!! Crushing!!
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