Photo essay of a recent sport climbing trip to the Costa Blanca.

We were based out of Calpe and climbed in several different areas

An inauspicious start! We arrived late and the only place open for food at midnight was the ubiquitous Burger King

Clockwise from left Zac, Matt, Scott, Matt B, Kieran and Clare

Angus Burger and Fries please

Toix Oeste. Matt B climbing

Matt with his all important head protection

 

Late afternoon at Toix

Day two and we headed inland

Aventador – Matt B climbing

Clare and Kieran decide on the next route while Matt and Matt try to stay warm. It was unseasonably cold at Aventador

Kieran (on something hard)

Kieran and Scott taking a break and finding time for a laugh

Mascarat Gorge

Zac prepaing to abseil off the railings into the gorge. Cars were whizzing past behind me as I took this shot

Probably one of the best ab anchors you could ask for. The fixed protection on the route we did wasn’t quite as solid

Zac on the first pitch of Boulder Terminar (HVS), Mascarat Gorge

Topping out on pitch two

Time for lunch on the stance at the top of pitch 4

Late afternoon, Zac at the top of the gorge

The finish of Boulder Terminar. Toix Oeste in the background

The Penon at night – The next day’s objective

Clare and Matt high up on ‘Costa Blanca’ 6c+

Heading off up the next pitch

Zac belaying on ‘Diedre UBSA’ HVS 

Climbers behind us on the same route

Great views from the top of the Penon. Kieran and Scott after climbing ‘El Navigante’ 7a

The Summit of the Penon

With grey skies and rain forecast we headed to Olta the next day

Clare climbing at Olta

The classic route here is ‘Tai Chi’ 6b+ Matt climbing

‘Tai Chi’ Matt B climbing

‘Tai Chi’ Kieran climbing

‘Tufa Groove’ 6b+ Scott climbing

All of these photo’s were taken on an old Leica M4 with a fixed Zeiss 35mm f2.8 lens and Kodak Portra 400 film.

We climbed at a couple of other areas but I haven’t developed that roll of film yet!

Thanks to Kieran, Scott, Matt, Matt, Clare and Zac for a great climbing trip

Sunset over The Costa Blanca

Slide Show

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Spain, December 2013

Black and White Photography Kodak Portra 400 Leica M4