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La Pedriza Bouldering (Read 4551 times)

SOH

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La Pedriza Bouldering
October 14, 2015, 12:13:01 pm
Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone has any bouldering experience around La Pedriza (Anterior or Posterior) sectors north of madrid, I know its mainly known for its friction climbing on trad routes but have heard there is a decent amount of bouldering as well. Also very interested to know if there is any local boulder mat hire around the areas of Soto del Real or Mirafloures.

Cheers

mrjonathanr

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#1 Re: La Pedriza Bouldering
October 27, 2015, 08:15:01 pm
No idea about mat hire.

Just spent a couple of days there using Talo Martin's Pedriza Boulder 1864 guide which you can buy from El Refugio shop near main square in Manzanares el Real. It's beautifully produced but actually not as clear as it appears to locate specific problems. That said, it works.

I now realize the area is a world-class location with tons of varied problems, slabs being just one of many styles represented. Cannot fathom why it is not better publicised. I've not been to Switzerland, but having glimpsed La Pedriza and with recommendations of equally good granite bouldering nearby  at Zarzalejo and especially El Escorial suspect I may never bother, the area is amazing. Beautiful wooded hillside settings, top quality and varied styles, beefy as well as technical, the guide's 1864 problems are obviously just a selection with thousands more waiting to be developed. Factor in cheap airfares to Madrid ......

Rock is really rough granite so go with good skin and cold temps. Winter, locals tell me, is cold and dry, perfect. Spring and Autumn ok. Summer to be avoided.

Campsite in Manzanares bit odd, bit of a trailer park really €6 for each of per person/per car/per tent. Another campsite near Soto el Real, bet cheap guest houses somewhere.

3 different entrances to Nat Park, You could climb at Cantocochino area, El Tranco or Manzanares. Cantocochino needs car to get to, El Tranco walkable from campsite (check out el Laboratorio, it's great) suspect Manzanares walkable too.

Talo Martin's blog is http://entreansias.blogspot.com.es/

Well worth visiting.
« Last Edit: October 27, 2015, 08:24:56 pm by mrjonathanr »

erm, sam

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#2 Re: La Pedriza Bouldering
October 28, 2015, 08:01:04 am
somewhere in the quality bouldering thread there is a pedriza granite bouldering film..

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#3 Re: La Pedriza Bouldering
October 28, 2015, 09:12:28 am
http://www.tiendaelrefugio.com/ - local climbing shop in Manzanares, they may or may not do or know about mat hire.

Your skin will get minced, GL HF :D

Edit: Same shop that JR mentioned. I would say winter is the only feasible time. Temps 20+ at Easter. P.S. It's friction climbing on sport routes BTW, and well worth a go on that.

mrjonathanr

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#4 Re: La Pedriza Bouldering
October 29, 2015, 08:14:32 pm
Yes winter sounds good. Right now feels ok ish but a bit on the warm side (high teens *C). Quute tough on skin! Notably a few degrees warmer than in Albarracín.

 

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