trad in Cabo da Roca

Today we climbed with Leo in the Cabo da Roca. To start climbing one must first rapel 60m to the seashore. The climbing is granite (moist and sandy - or sandy-moist:) and we climbed a trad multi-pitch route, so it was very exciting for me to lead placing gear in these conditions. Especially since I am just learning to climb cracks AND place gear.... lol

preparing the rappel

The week-end:
Saturday was amazing in climbing terms: I first redpointed El Carallon, a wonderful long & complete route (technical crack, tufa, overhang, crimps, slab) and then had an OS try on Unicornio, a beautiful 7b+ which went really good, despite me falling off. Of course I didn't know exactly how hard the route was before setting off, but the climbing here is just sooo much fun and motivating with everyone cheering and encouraging! My climbing improves at least 30% and I'm easily doing things I've never done before - :D!

Sunday: after a splash in the "mar bravo", i.e. angry sea taking surfing class and a wonderful "almozo"= lunch in Jessica and Puja's house on the Costa da Caparica we went climbing to Fenda (again). This time though everyone was rather tired and socializing. The surf lesson wasn't very pleasant, the sea was really furious even where the waves break and I could barely stand on my feet in knee-depth water due to the strong tide. But it was definetly interesting to get more familiar with the sea's moods. Pics coming soon!

Apart from these leisure activities I am still looking for jobs and sending out CVs and search let’s call it creatively. So yesterday I accidentally found a posting for researchers where the first requirement read “-Be a fit and competent rock climber, including free climbing”!! After my astonishment subsided a bit I had a closer look: it was field research in the Oman – observing an endemic goat. Unfortunately I don’t fulfil all other requirements but I think the job must be lots of fun!