Rainy Riglos 3

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Chooper (fail) on Mallo Pison

Shirley on the approach hike to Chooper route.

Once again, a soggy morning greeted us. We took our time with breakfast, downing many café con leche’s (or leche’s sin café as Shirley called them given the low coffee content of the mixture), while keeping an eye on the towers. Finally, the drizzle stopped and the rock looked sufficiently dry just before lunch. With the heavy overcast in the sky, we opted for a route that would allow an easier escape should rain return. It should be noted that many (most?) routes in Riglos are not trivial to bail from given the overhanging nature of the faces. We started up Chooper (6b), a 6-pitch line up the right side of Pison’s imposing face. Interesting climbing: a series of steep bulges with rest stances sprinkled in-between. As I finished the third pitch a light drizzle started. We debated our options for a few minutes and then decided to bail. By the time we reached the ground the sun had returned and we were cursing our choice! That however did not last more than 20 minutes and a steady downpour once again enveloped the area. At the motel, we learned that more of the same weather pattern was to be expected for the following and our final day in Riglos. As a bonus, we also learned of the volcanic-ash related rolling airport closures throughout Europe. Terrific – shitty weather and little climbing followed by an involuntary extension!

Photos

Shirley looking over at the Mallos de Riglos (and the village by the matching name right below) on another rainy day (May 2010).

More views of the Mallos (May 2010).

Hiking into Riglos the village (May 2010).

Shirley on the approach hike to Chooper route on Pison (big tower in photo). El Puro is the semi-detached spire on the left (Sept. 2010).

Pitch 1 of Chooper (6b) on Mallo Pison…we bailed in rain 3 pitches up (May 2010).

Shirley following the first pitch of Chooper (May 2010).

Looking back towards the village church from Chooper (May 2010).

Shirley starting the lead of pitch 2 of Chooper (May 2010).

Following pitch 2 of Chooper on El Pison tower (May 2010).

Starting pitch 3 of the Chooper route on Mallo Pison (May 2010).

Poppies and rain…the complete Riglos experience (May 2010).

A typical May day we found in Riglos…Shirley hiding under the overhangs of Pison with Mallo Fire in the background (May 2010).

Castillo de Loarre in Aragon.

Castillo de Loarre ‘splorin on another rainy day in Aragon. This is between Huesca and Riglos (May 2010).

More pretty Castillo de Loarre scenery (May 2010).

El Pison (left) with its semi-detached Puro spire and La Visera (right) on a rainy day in May 2010.

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