Spain June/July/August

Nick Votto wrote:Will be climbing in Mallorca July 2-6 if anyones around there. I'll be doing moderates and DWS but will be with a group doing harder stuff too

Darn it Nick! I missed this! I was in Mallorca on some of those days. I had nobody to climb with so I hired a private guide to take me to some of the sport routes and psicobloc areas. Beautiful place to climb and eat!

How was your trip? I'm trying to get my friends to come back with me in Sept.

Sorry Bryan! It was my second trip to the island and I was shown a ton of non-guidebook spots that are amazing, and empty. My goal is to move there in the fall but not sure if that's gonna happen...keep me posted on your September trip.

I'll keep in touch Nick.

Moving to Mallorca? You're living my dream! haha

Are you a Spanish native? or an American living in Europe?

I just posted a new thread in the int'l forum. I'll be in BCN from 8/11-8/14 and would LOVE to climb in Siurana.

comfortable in the 12 to low/mid 13 range.

Hi to all,

I want to share the below info on my experience in Rodellar. I left message here back on 2nd July. Another member (Aliaksandr) recently emailed me asking the following:

Hey Hugo

I am planning on going to rodellar in a week.Going solo,no car.Did you managed to get from Barcelona to Rodellar? How was it?

Get back to me mate and good luck

My answer:

Hey Alex!!

Thanks for writing to me. Would be nice if others had written back to me and provided me helpful information.
I came from La Rioja NOT Barcelona. I made my way to Huesca. Plenty of trains from Barcelona to Huesca.
Once in Huesca, get yourself to the other side of Huesca which has the road heading to Bierge. There is a Barrabes right next to where you need to be (google it - also a good place to get some supplies like gas or climbing gear etc). Look for the roundabout (that’s what we call them in Australia - u know the circles on the road that connect 3 or 4 different roads?). Place yourself at the roundabout exit onto the road to Rodellar. Have a sign saying Bierge. Friday night’s from 5pm are good because you get people heading to Rodellar for the weekend otherwise Saturday morning is also good. You may find a car that can only take you to the highway turnoff to Bierge. This is fine and you can get the next car to Bierge. Once in Bierge have a sign for Rodellar - you’re only 30mins away. It’s possible you might get one car heading the whole way from Huesca to Rodellar.

How long you planning on staying? Mascun Camping is $6 euro a night and Calandraka $10euro. Calandraka is a hostel type setup and where most people drink / party at night. Pretty chill place with epic view. Stay either of those two because they are really close to the walk in to all the sectors. Rodellar was EPIC!!! The climbing is so varied and so challenging. Everyone gets humbled but you will learn a lot and come away a better climber. Plenty of other people to climb with although most are doing in the 7 or above range or below the 6’s. I’m close to cracking 6c and moving into 7 - it was harder to find people in this range. However there were a few goldmines who were much better climbers then me but had hearts of gold and willingly put me through fall practice and coached me through some of the more difficult climbs. Plenty of great 6’s to hit contrary to what you read online. Pinces, Las Angeles and Nuit Des Temps were super fun. Having said this there is a much greater range in the 7’s and 8’s.

You can buy everything you need at Camping Mascun. The hotel also has a small supermarket. If you are on a budget I highly recommend loading yourself up like a pack mule with all your food. There is a Lidl right next door to Barrabes and the roundabout so you won’t have to carry your supplies far before getting picked up. Otherwise if you are already loaded up, get yourself to Rodellar and then find someone to take you back for supplies once you are there. There are plenty of people doing day trips.

If you get a chance, do a canyon with someone. I met plenty of people at Camping Mascun who were there just for Canyoning. I did one EPIC one which in spanish is named Goat Cave. Also check out the swimming hole and massive waterfall jump at Bierge. The temperature was damn hot in Rodellar so days off doing Canyoning or Swimming were well appreciated. There is also plenty of swimming places in Rodellar to cool down during the day. There is also a fuente (water dropping through from the rocks where you can collect fresh water) at La Fuente.

1-2 weeks before leaving Rodellar put a sign up on the notice board at Mascun Camping or Calandraka advising your need for a lift back to Barcelona. A Polish couple took me all the way back to Barcelona. Getting out of Rodellar is easy.

Alex, have a great time. You won’t regret it!!
Hugo