Mom, why am I a boulderman?
Hi everybody,
I’m going to talk about the boulder areas where I’m climbing at the present time. However, first of all I will introduce me. My name is Carles and I was born in Barcelona, although last 7 years I’m living in Toledo, 65 km south of Madrid.
In my opinion Madrid is the best place for the bouldering in Spain. There are many climbing areas where people can try incredible easy, medium and hard boulders. So, I will try to describe some of these areas and show you with a couple of pictures to make sense.
I will start with La Pedriza, the biggest crag, with more than 10 areas grouping more than 1000 boulders or problems. Yes, more than 1000 problems, it’s really true! However, there are rocks to have even the double of boulder lines.
Hi everybody,
I’m going to talk about the boulder areas where I’m climbing at the present time. However, first of all I will introduce me. My name is Carles and I was born in Barcelona, although last 7 years I’m living in Toledo, 65 km south of Madrid.
In my opinion Madrid is the best place for the bouldering in Spain. There are many climbing areas where people can try incredible easy, medium and hard boulders. So, I will try to describe some of these areas and show you with a couple of pictures to make sense.
I will start with the biggest crag, with more than 10 areas grouping more than 1000 boulders or problems. Yes, more than 1000 problems, it’s really true! However, there are rocks to have even the double of boulder lines.
La Pedriza,
Click to see larger image.
So, this is La Pedriza, 50 km north to Madrid, a Natural Park with specific but non-restrictive rules. More than 10 areas are waiting for you. In a little article ready for this site, sorting this week I introduce about climbing areas and recommended boulder problems.
Nevertheless, I share with you a couple of pictures for exciting you and I’m sure after that and the future article of this site, you will getting ready to visit La Pedriza and its amazing boulders.
I know the difficulties of have an idea about one big climbing area with only a couple of pictures. For this reason, I also will give you my blog address, because you can watch thousand of pictures and videos there. http://entreansias.blogspot.com
We are fortunately because in different areas we can climb almost always, so there are areas to climb in a sunny but cold days, areas to climb in a rainy days(rainy but not at all), even in summer we use to go near the river.
We have here boulders with all difficulties, slabs, roofs, overhanging and vertical wall with edges. Climb here needs cold weather and some kind of “warm-up” for the first day. The best boulders of 6B and 6C I’ve ever done are placed in La Pedriza and the same for the problems of seventh grade. Unfortunately, I've never climbed a eight grade boulder( always Fontainebleau grade).
Previous picture it's me in "Los 3 Mosqueteros" a extremely nice movement on a edge in Laboratorio area.
And the following picture, it's also me in Laboratorio on "Los Guerreros" another nice reference problem of 6C.
Click to see larger image.
These awesome boulders are placed in Laboratorio with 150 problems more, so you can find the boulders you need. However, if you want to push a little bit more you have in Bosque de Cantocochino, other confortable and awesome boulder area, “El Potrillo Desbocado” that means, runaway colt and you will feel like this. It was 7B+ before the first hold became broken. Now, I’m sure it’s harder.
These awesome boulders are placed in Laboratorio with 150 problems more, so you can find the boulders you need. However, if you want to push a little bit more you have in Bosque de Cantocochino, other comfortable and awesome boulder area, “El Potrillo Desbocado” that means, runaway colt and you will feel like this. It was 7B+ before the first hold became broken. Now, I’m sure it’s harder.
Click to see larger image.
And my favorite area, La Foca, the best area in summer. It’s me again on “Melancolía” 7A+. Near the river, fabulous landscape problems with crimps, high boulders, everything that a boulder is always looking for.
Click to see larger image.
Finally, I just would like to tell you that read the article about La Pedriza that will be published soon, take ideas about what boulder problems would you try and done it and let me know if you are coming.
See you soon!
Carles
