Gore-Tex Experience Tour Casting: Training Part 3 - Moncayo

After Christmas day, my wife, Sharon and I decided to take a road trip. On the 26th we went to Soria for a morning full of caving in the Galiana Cave and a smaller cave right next to it called the Cave of the Lake. On the 27th we went to Pamplona where we spoiled ourselves with a 1-hour massage (actually a gift given to both of us by friends). With another day left to kill, we decided to go to the Moncayo. With an elevation of 2314 meters and altitude change of about 1000 meters, it would be a great place for the both of us to ascend. However, we were largely unprepared to ascend anything in winter conditions. Having planned our trip at the last minute, we didn't have crampons or ice axes to handle the snow and ice. Just boots. But the Moncayo doesn't keep a lot of snow, so we decided to go for it.

On our way there, we stopped for some beers at Carrefour and kept them cold in the snow outside the van while we made dinner at 1300 meters. At this point, it was obvious that we would not make a summit the next day.


The next morning, we were awaken by the sound of mountaineers preparing an ascent, all talking and laughing loudly as usual. We too began to eat breakfast and gather our basic essentials. After the first 200 meters we started to encounter ice packs which we had to avoid to keep ascending. After a few short hours, we reached just below 2000 meters with a sign that basically marked the crampon point. Sharon and I kinda shrugged and said, "its time to turn around". Before our descent, we shot some pictures...

It hardly counts, but something is better than nothing. With a little less than 700 meters of altitude change and some 4 hours of activity....with my wife.....for me it counts as a great day in the mountains!

We headed back to the van where cold beers awaited us.