We just got back from a week of late Mallorcan sun. The plan had been to mostly climb and get up Gubia Normal by the end of the week. In the event we found the climbing just a bit too hard for us, most crags grades started at 4+ and my trad leading is still only around VDiff. While I could just about struggle up the lead on all the 4+ climbs (one slightly overhanging one was definitely a triumph of sheer bloody mindedness over style – it got blood but I didn’t mind because I got the top!) Fiona was only managing to top about 50% of the 4+ climbs we found so we decided with Gubia Normal having a 4+ at around pitch 5 of 7 to attempt it would be foolhardy. So we ended up doing a bit more walking than we planned. Including this excellent walk along a viaduct (canelletta) – an excellent walk which traces a line along the canelletta as it clings to the cliff face.
We had great weather apart from one tremendous thunderstorm and we will be back to tackle that climbing after we have had some more practice!
Looks like you had a fantastic holiday!
Awesome job on those Mallorcan 4+s. Don’t be surprised, but I think the grades in Mallorca are a bit tougher than mainland Spain – I read once that the Mallorcan’s used to have a bit of “we’re better than you” attitude to the mainlanders. So, 4+ may be more like 5- or 5. Let us know what you think when you’ve tried the Costa Blanca… 😛
Where is this walk? Would love to do it, looks spectacular!
Its the Canaleta De Massanella. Walk 29 in Walking in Mallorca by June Parker Which you can also see on Google books