Mallorca - April 2000

Martin and Jo do a pre season warm up

Another bargain break holiday care of Lincoln Travel found us once again on the island of Mallorca. Our resort this time was Porta Colom, close to the sea cliff climbing at Cala Magraner and Santangui.

We arrived at the resort in our Fiat "shoe box" hire car at midday. After a bit of R&R by the pool we where raring to go. We popped out to Santangui and bagged three routes, Tom and Jerry (5), Ebam (4+) and Ebamsa (5), after that we returned to our resort just in time to experience a beautiful sunset from the balcony of our apartment.

The next morning we got up early and headed for the magnificent crag of Su Gubia to climb the excellent 'Quan es fa Fec' (2+,5,5,5) followed by the first pitch of Sexo Debil (4).

Mallorca is a different place in spring. I have always visited in autumn when everything is barren and the trees are bare. In the spring the fields are green and the air smells of citrus fruits.

The following morning after an explore of the resort we headed off to Calvia in the blazing heat to climb one route. It has no name, it's just known as 6? In the Rockfax guidebook. In the evening we decided to have a nice meal out rather than our staple diet of Pizza and chips. We found one of the best fish restaurants around, the bonus being it was only 10 mins walk from the apartment. The starter of flash fried chilli's and sea salt will be in my repertoire from now on.

Next day we returned to Su Gubia to climb some short routes in the sector princessa before moving round to the sector excalabur to tackle the classic "excalabur" (5+, 5+).

Following our lead from yesterday (i.e. returning to the crag) we went to Calvia again today. Unfortunately we found that a Land Rover was blocking the entrance. Not wishing to upset the driver (access is a problem at this crag) we went to have a look at the crag Santa-Ponca. A bit of a waste really and someone was on the only worthwhile route. Back at the car we decided to head for the impressive Alaro crag via a very hairy mountain track. I warmed up on Sobrassada (4+) before climbing Fido-Dido (6a). Alaro is an impressive crag with a castle at the top which sports some wonderful views. We returned to the resort via the scenic route so that we could have a look at the North Coast of the Island.

On Thursday we went to Su Gubia for a change. We climbed La Leg del Deso (5, 5, 4+, 5). I first did this route with Eddie and Egan a couple of years ago. It is now becoming very polished in places and needs lots of chalk and tight boots. Jo seemed a little slow on the climbs today and admitted to feeling a bit off.

The feeling a bit off has turned out to be an influenza attack. We have both been laid low and all we can manage is laying by the pool in the lazing heat, wrapped up in fleeces, reading books. All around the sun worshipers are topping up their tans. It could be worse we might be going home tomorrow, oh we are.....

Martin 'Spanish Fly' Upfold