Rainy Riglos 3

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Moskitos

Moskitos.

Proceeding down the list of our planned climbs, we set out next morning to climb the Moskitos route (did first 6 pitches at 6a) on the amazingly steep face of Visera (The Hood). The huge face (think 8 pitch long routes here) has a parabolic profile: it starts out being less than vertical and ends up severely overhanging near its top. A couple of classic routes penetrate the overhanging upper reaches whereas Moskitos avoids the steepest bit by a rightward “escape”. We climbed Moskitos once again swapping leads. High fun, low stress sort of climbing. The highlight of the route was the rightward traverse followed by a mantle onto a huge cobblestone (VW Bug sized) sticking out of Visera’s face! As the proper sixth pitch (6b crux) was running with water, we opted for the short rap from the belay cobble and traversing escape pitch that put us on scrambling ground. A beautiful sunny day that made us think the weather had worked itself out. Not the case as it turned out…

Photos

Spain

Our favorite bakery in the village of Ayerbe (a few kilometers drive from Riglos) is just down the street and on the right (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley hiking through the village on the way up to La Visera (May 2010).

Moskitos

More of Shirley on the approach (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley starting up Moskitos (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley higher on pitch 1 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Following the first pitch (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley at the first belay on Moskitos (May 2010).

Moskitos

Starting up pitch 2 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Looking back at Shirley from the lead of pitch 2 of Moskitos (May 2010).

Moskitos

More of pitch 2 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley on pitch 2 with unknown climbers on Fiesta de los Biceps (May 2010).

Moskitos

Views of the village from the second belay (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley arriving at the second belay (May 2010).

Moskitos

More of our neighbors on Fiesta de los Biceps (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley starting up pitch 3 of Moskitos (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley nearing the third belay on Moskitos (May 2010).

Moskitos

Following pitch 3 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Views from the route (May 2010).

Moskitos

Leading pitch 4 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Looking back at Shirley from the start of pitch 4 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Pitch 4 of Moskitos (May 2010).

Moskitos

More pitch 4 – look at those blocks (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley starting pitch 4 of Moskitos (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley arriving at the fourth belay (May 2010).

Moskitos

Getting buzzed by a Guarda Nacional chopper…check out these guys practicing rescues on youtube…rescues or drunken stunts…either way, fun stuff (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley starting up pitch 5 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Making progress on pitch 5 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Following pitch 5 (May 2010).

Moskitos

Mantling onto the huge conglomerate boulder atop pitch 5 of Moskitos on Visera. Climber in the background is on Fiesta de los Biceps (7a; May 2010).

Moskitos

Rapping off the huge embedded stone (El Trono) high on Moskitos route on La Visera…the next pitches were running with water (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley belaying me on the “escape pitch” from Moskitos (May 2010).

Moskitos

Shirley following the escape pitch (May 2010).

Moskitos

Scrambling a gully to the top of La Visera (May 2010).

Moskitos

The views (May 2010).

Moskitos

On the hike down (May 2010).

Moskitos

Off route (May 2010).

Moskitos

Back at the base and looking up at La Visera. Click photo for full res. to see the multiple parties on it (May 2010).

Moskitos

A closer look – click photo (May 2010).

Riglos

Climbing parties on La Visera. Click for full res. (May 2010).

Riglos

Unknown climbers on Zulu Demente on Visera (May 2010).

Riglos

Riglos (May 2010).

Riglos

El Pison towering above the village (May 2010).

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