Rainy Riglos 4

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Chooper

Chooper.

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

Riglos

Mallo Fire (left) and El Pison with El Puro (May 2010).

Riglos

A closer look at El Pison (May 2010).

Chooper

Unknown party high on Chooper on El Pison (May 2010).

Chooper

Pitch 1 of Chooper (6b) on Mallo Pison…we bailed three pitches up as it started raining (May 2010).

Chooper

Higher on pitch 1 (May 2010).

Chooper

Shirley on pitch 1 of Chooper (May 2010).

Chooper

Arriving at the first belay (May 2010).

Chooper

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

Chooper

Shirley higher on pitch 2 (May 2010).

Chooper

Following pitch 2 (May 2010).

Chooper

Arriving at the belay (May 2010).

Chooper

Starting up pitch 3 (May 2010).

Chooper

Shirley at the second belay on Chooper (May 2010).

Chooper

Higher on pitch 3 (May 2010).

Chooper

Unknown party on Espolon del Adamelo (May 2010).

Chooper

Shirley arriving at the third pitch and our highpoint on Chooper (May 2010).

Riglos

Getting hosed again (May 2010).

Riglos

Riglos (May 2010).

Riglos

El Pison in profile (May 2010).

Riglos

Riglos (May 2010).

Riglos

El Pison (May 2010).

Spain

Fix it again, Tony.

Spain

Castillo de Loarre; not far from Riglos (May 2010).

Spain

Castillo de Loarre (May 2010).

Spain

Castillo de Loarre (May 2010).

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