Chulilla 2019: the beginnings of a return to fitness

Another trip to Chulilla! From March 2019, we had a quick hop out to this fantastic venue that still isn’t feeling old after three visits. It hasn’t got the hardest routes so will likely never make the newspapers for big sends, however it is definitely on the list of ‘hot spots’ in Spain once again after falling out of favour in the late 90’s. As usual, Pedro and Nuria (hostel owners) and friends deserve a lot of credit for this..

For myself, this was a bit of rejuvenation. Two and a half years after shoulder surgery, it was time to get back in the saddle and start testing the water again. A lot of concern existed - I still don’t have full mobility back, and some pain still in the outer ranges of motion - that climbing may not be viable. What would occur?

In short, any worries turned out to be for naught. Yes, I’m a little compromised in certain positions, however there’s ways and means to work around it. In short, I managed to onsight back to almost my previous limit again (blame experience for that, not fitness :) and redpoint a high-seven route. It took longer than my previous timeframe and I had to put my ego in check a bit, however all that mattered was…I was climbing! and without worry!

In between all this, we mixed it up with finding one of the great hiking trails of the region, circling up on the top of the cliff. Beautiful… As ever, if you’re thinking of somewhere new to go climbing (and climbing in the six’s and above), make sure to put Chulilla on the list.

Above Chulilla on one of the lovely hiking trails.