Portugal

Well, Portugal came and Portugal went with not much to write home about really. Disapointing would be a good word to sum up the trip as far as the deep water soloing went, or 'didn't go' to be more accurate. 

I had less than a handful of quality climbing days right at the start of our two-week trip. During this time I climbed a bunch of great routes at the Ponta Garcia area near Sagres, but nothing above F6c. The main route I'd wanted to climb on this trip was a terrific F7b called Magnum. Over those first few days I had about three tries on the route, making it halfway through the crux with only a couple more moves to victory on my third attempt. I was planning on sending the route over the next few days, so gave it a rest that day to climb a few easier lines in the afternoon. In hindsight, and being so close, I should have given it a few more goes because the next day the wind and swell picked up, followed shortly after by varying amounts of rain. This was to be the state of affairs weather-wise for the rest of the trip really, rendering the climbing out of the question due to rain and large seas, which kept soaking the rock and keeping it that way. 

I never got to get back on Magnum, and I was really gutted about that! 

As some consolation, the arrival of surf on the plentiful and varied beaches of the area meant I got back into my surfing a bit during the rest of our holiday. I hired a surfboard from one of the shops in town, whilst Elisabeth bought a cheap boogie board and had fun whizzing about on that. My best session was down at Carrapateira in solid and clean six foot plus waves, where I scored some wicked rides and had an absolute blast. Stoked!

Now we're back home again, and I've already had a nice weekend of DWS down at Berry Head climbing a few of my old favourite routes in the sunshine. It sure felt good!

My plans for now are to keep the deep water soloing going as long as possible, and also to get back into my surfing a bit more over the winter again too. I already have my sights set on a super-snugg new winter wetsuit to help keep me warm during those cold winter sessions out riding the waves. And not forgetting the white water kayaking when the rains come again too of course. 

But for now I'll just make the most of the warm ish weather we're having while it lasts! :)

Pics: Tackling the crux of Magnum, F7b at Ponta Garcia, Sagres, Portugal.