End of year round-up

With the summer heat lasting well into mid-October it was mostly biking after we returned to Spain, with a few great trips up to the Pyrenees.

Finally at the very end of October it started cooling down and I got back into climbing with a visit to Cubells, though it was a pretty humbling experience mainly climbing mid 6's and failing to on-sight 7a.

Cubells.

In mid-November the rally came to town - first time I've been and it won't be the last!

Rally Catalunya 2012 from Ali K on Vimeo.

Slowly but surely from mid November onwards with a combination of bouldering, training at the wall and more regular visits out to the crags, the power started to trickle back into my arms!

Alfons a la dreta sit (font 7b) from Ali K on Vimeo. Classic El Cogul problem.

And the publication of Pete's new guide to the area prompted visits to some new crags - mainly Llaberia, where the amount of virgin rock is truly astounding. And in the last few weeks it has seemed like we were the only climbers in Tarragona - every sector we've been to we were literally the only ones there! I dread to think what Siurana's been like during the same period.

Sector Al Lao Bacalao/Plaza les Coles at Llaberia. Home to only a handful of routes. All top quality so far.

'Rififi au Tour de France' (7a+) at Cal Carboner, Llaberia.

Heatwave in December - waiting for the shade to come!

'La Reina de las Columnas' (8a) - THE best route I've done in ages, and probably one of the best of its grade in Tarragona. Amazing double drainpipe tufas.

Now looking forward to a week off over xmas to grow some skin back before 10 days over New Year in the Tremp area - Bruixes here we come!