We arrived at Bogota airport on a Friday evening and were picked up by the prearranged driver (Sebastian’s brother-in-law) for a quick drive northeast to the town of Suesca. Well, it looked quick on Google maps but turned out to be considerably longer: pushing 3 hours with 2 of those being taken up by Bogota traffic.
We were at the base of the crag by about 9:30 the next morning. The whole package is nicely unique. The short approach from the village follows a semi-abandoned railroad track which traverses the entire length of the base of the escarpment. Our first route called L.P. (5.8, 5 pitches) was at the far end and so we got to preview some lines and get stories on their histories from Sebastian as we were hiking in. Though the cliff is covered in invasive Spanish moss (a bizarre looking thing), the routes themselves are clean. Soon we were on the summit where we met Sebastian who came prepared with lunch. For the second course, we climbed the two pitch La Diagonal (5.7 per guidebook though first pitch felt harder). Though Sebastian was encouraging us to do one more nice looking crack climb, I felt pretty out of it with a touch of jetlag and a pinch of altitude effects (Suesca is at about 8500 feet). And so we called it a day and went for beer.
Photos
Arriving in Bogota (Feb. 2020).Bienvenidos a Colombia. Have you been to China in the last 14 days (Feb. 2020)?Shirley digging into our first dinner in Colombia courtesy of Sandra (Sebastian’s wife) who’d be feeding us with excellent home cooked meals for the next two days (Feb. 2020).Packing up at our place (well, Daniel’s nice place) for the first day of climbing (Feb. 2020).At Daniel’s hostel (Feb. 2020).Suesca (Feb. 2020).Starting the short (15 minute) approach from our hostel to the crag (Feb 2020).A denizen of the town (Feb. 2020).Unique sort of approach to the crag (Feb. 2020).Just follow the tracks (Feb. 2020).Suesca the cliff. Note the ubiquitous and invasive Spanish moss (Feb. 2020).Shirley and Sebastian hiking to the far side of the crag where the L.P. route is (Feb. 2020).At the base of the L.P. route with Chewbacca the dog. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Chewbacca (very sweet!) and Shirley. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Racking up for L.P. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).OK, one more with Chewbacca. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Starting the lead of pitch 1 of L.P. Photo by Sebastian (Feb 2020).Pitch 1. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Pitch 1 still. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).And more pitch 1 (Feb. 2020).Shirley starting up pitch 1 of L.P. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Both of us on pitch 1 of L.P. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).More of Shirley on pitch 1. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Shirley arriving at the first belay (Feb. 2020).Starting the lead of pitch 2 of L.P. (Feb. 2020).Looking back at Shirley from the lead of pitch 2 (Feb. 2020).Higher on pitch 2 (Feb. 2020).Shirley topping out on pitch 2 of L.P. (Feb. 2020).Starting the lead of pitch 3 (Feb. 2020).After a brief crawl, you stand up and pull a tiny roof (Feb. 2020).Views from the third belay on L.P. (Feb. 2020).Pretty flora (Feb. 2020).Leading pitch 4 of L.P. (Feb. 2020).Shirley topping out on pitch 4 (Feb. 2020).Topping out on L.P. (pitch 5) with Chewbacca keeping a watchful eye. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Views from top of the escarpment (Feb. 2020).Summit photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Shirley, Sebastian and Chewbacca enjoying a very nice lunch (courtesy of Sandra) atop the cliff (Feb. 2020).A vulture atop the escarpment (Feb. 2020).How the lazy can around the base of the cliff (Feb. 2020).Chewbacca dog. If this were closer to home, Benny might have a hairy, little brother…great personality (Feb. 2020).Racking up for La Diagonal. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Chewbacca at the base of La Diagonal. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Leading pitch 1 of La Diagonal. A bit of tunneling through the Spanish moss and a bit harder than the advertised grade of 5.7 (Feb. 2020).Into the crux of La Diagonal. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).The tricky crux on pitch 1 (Feb. 2020).Shirley on pitch 1 of La Diagonal (Feb. 2020).Chewbacca watching our progress. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Shirley climbing through the crux of La Diagonal. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Arriving at the first belay (Feb. 2020).Starting up pitch 2 of La Diagonal (Feb. 2020).Shirley at the first belay (Feb. 2020).Shirley belaying me on pitch 2. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Higher on pitch 2. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Pitch 2 of La Diagonal. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Almost done with La Diagonal. Sebastian photo (Feb. 2020).Shirley topping out on La Diagonal (Feb. 2020).Views from the top of the route (Feb. 2020).Back at the base of La Diagonal with Chewbacca the dog. Photo by Sebastian (Feb. 2020).Posing with the Spanish moss (Feb 2020).Suesca (Feb. 2020).Unknown climbers on La Nariz (Feb. 2020).An unknown leader getting into the meat of La Nariz (Feb. 2020).And one more (Feb. 2020).Suesca sights (Feb. 2020).End of day 1 beers (Feb. 2020).
