Summer hols, getting hitched & honeymoon!

Not much climbing to report from the last 5 months, as other things have taken precedence (mainly getting married and going to Canada for our honeymoon). Now that we're back in Spain and the temps are dropping then hopefully I'll be able to get back into it.

Just a few photos from the summer to follow, including some from Squamish (although not many action shots as we were mainly in the shade).

Traverse of the entire Montsant ridge in the saddle back in June.

Some cool single track along the top.

Then some walking and wild camping in the Pyrenees.

And a trip to PortAventura to check out the new Shambhala ride.

Before it was time to head back to the UK, via the Padirac cave and Dordogne chateaus, in time for the wedding...

Hitched.

And then on to Vancouver for the honeymoon...

6 day sea kayaking trip off the north end of Vancouver Island, with a couple of nights either end in this lodge.

Then down to Victoria where the salmon were running.

And to the Rockies for a few weeks. Moraine Lake.

Trainspotting.

First bear sighting. Young black.

Canadian pests...cute though! Columbian Ground Squirrels were everywhere.

Classic Rockies - Peyto Lake.

North Saskatchewan river valley.

Yoho NP - Lake O'Hara.

Then a brief stop in Whistler.

Before final destination Squamish for a week.

1st summit of the Chief from the 2nd.

First day climbing in about 3 months - bouldering to get the guns moving.
I managed the three classic V4s (Superfly, Easy in an Easy Chair, Sloppy Poppy) and Viper (V5).

And some bigger stuff (here Sunblessed 5.10b at Solarium).
Highlights were some great easy access cragging at the Smoke Bluffs. Flying Circus (5.10a), Smoke Bluff Connection (5.10a), Partners in Crime (5.11a), Centre Street & Supervalue (5.10c).
And of course the mega-classic Exasperator (5.10c) didn't disappoint.

The Grand Wall via Apron Strings/Mercy Me start. Good route with some amazing pitches but a few too many bolts. And not good with a single set of cams with no big ones!

Probably my favourite route from the trip. The Great Game (5.10d) on "the Squaw".

Another black bear in the Smoke Bluffs park early in the morning.

Then back over the Rockies to the UK for nephew's birthday before returning to Spain.
Six and a half weeks in Canada and only three half days of rain...sun blessed!

Back to biking in the Pyrenees.

Hopefully the next blog might even have some climbing in it!