January Challenge - NEW DATE

NOTE - The villagehouseinspain 2013 January Challenge (Roldans Notch) will now take place on Saturday January 12th 2013 (previously January 19th).

Puig Campana - Recce and Run!

I was keen to check out one of the timings ref. 'The 2013 January Challenge' (Roldans Notch). This meant that I would need to ascend the Puig via the gully on the Finestrat side (PR-CV14). Because I had recently been impressed by the speed that competitors had gone up the mountain (the winner in just over 35 minutes) as part of the Skyrunners Vertical Kilometre race, I was curious to see how quickly I could do it - apart from being in a different league to these guys, I had absolutely no intention of running up the mountain (down it maybe, but not up!).

So, I started my little excursion at 08:00 this morning, setting out from Font Moli, just above/behind Finestrat village. It was all fairly quiet at that time, but a couple and a single guy were all setting off just as I was parking my car. I never saw the couple again (they may have gone on a different walk) but I did pass the single guy several hours later as I was coming down (he was still on his way up and about 200m from the summit). 

The timing that I was interested to check was how long it would take to reach the point in the gully where you turn left (coming up from the bottom) and start the scramble up to the notch. Previously we had parked in the valley just below (20 min walk) the refuge/hut (Refugio José Manuel Vera Catral) we then walked up to the coll (@ 1200m) before dropping 200m down the gully to the point in question, this had taken just under 2 hours, and the 200m descent down the gully had not been the most pleasant experience! Today, coming directly up the gully (admittedly on my own and not hanging around) I reached the same point in 1 hour and 10 minutes - good news for January!

So, now I was able to focus on reaching the summit, 730m of ascent done, just another 270m to go! It was a steady slog, but a beautiful morning for slogging, with blue, cloudless skies, although now as I got nearer to my goal, the wind seemed to pick up with every metre of ascent, and 25 minutes later as I stood on top of the Puig it was really quite strong and did not encourage me to hang around!

To see the GPS data for the ascent on Garmin Connect CLICK HERE

Although my ascent had taken an hour longer than the winner of the Vertical Kilometre Race, I was still very pleased with my efforts (1:35:25) and I had actually done it quicker than some of the competitors! After snapping a few quick photos I began what I hoped was going to be a quick descent. I had decided to descend via the slightly more forgiving and slightly gentler route that joins and follows the circular path (PR-CV289). Although further, 7.46Km vs 4.76Km on the way up, I was still optimistic that I could get down quicker than I had come up. Wherever possible I ran back down and was back at Font Moli and the car in 1:13:37. 

To see the GPS data for the descent on Garmin Connect CLICK HERE

Sunday Circuit



Old Eric Proverb

"if you have 4 legs, are small, black and fat - then DO NOT go out in Sella countryside on day of Gran Batida" (wild boar hunt) Mabel!!!

 

At 8 o'clock this morning men with guns and lots trailers full of hunting dogs (like the one pictured below) met up at the Sella car park. This just happened to be the time that Eric, Mabel and myself were off for a bit of a morning stroll, past the car park!

Mabel really does need to learn that there is a time to give it large, and there is a time not to give it large - and 8 o'clock this morning was definitely NOT the time not to be giving it large (barking her head off) as we walked past numerous trailers, laden with hunting dogs, who's sole objective for the day, was to chase short, black, fat 4 legged animals around the countryside! They were going mental when they saw her - thankfully the trailers are rather well made!

Morning Stroll - Ruta de Agua (baixa)

After some heavy rain over the last week or so the Sella rivers are both flowing well, as is the waterfall down by the mill which we walked past on our morning stroll as part of the Ruta de Agua (Baixa).

 

If you want to see where we went CLICK HERE

 

 

Bite!

Don't worry the mosquitos around Sella are not that big!

The teeth that inflicted this little nibble had four legs attached to them!

10Km

Skyrunning!

Skyrunning is defined as the discipline of running up mountains, up to or exceeding 2000 meters and where the incline exceeds 30% - I think it is therefore, by its nature, what one would call an extreme sport!!!

Anyway, one discipline of the sport is called the Vertical Kilometer Seris and this year there have been 5 races, the first 4 being in Russia, Greece, Italy and Switzerland. The 5th and final Vertical Kilometer race of the year took place today in our neighbouring village of Finestrat, where competitors (or lunatics - depending on your perspective) were invited to run up the Puig Campana Mountain! Oh, and of course the route was not the slightly easier circular path, oh no, but straight up the scree!

Anyone who is vaguely familiar with the mountain, will appreciate that the idea of running up it is somewhat challenging, let alone actually doing it. Well just to give you an idea of how incredibly fit some of these people are I will tell you how long it took the winner (and you aint going to believe this!) 35 minutes and 46 seconds! That is truly incredible.

Amazing Rainbow Over Sella

villagehouseinspain January Challenge 2013

The following video shows you where we are planning to go!
 

The question is will you be joining us?
 

The proposed date for our 2013 January Challenge is Saturday 19th January 12th January (new date). We will be starting early (before sunrise) from Font Moli (behind Finestrat village) and heading off straight up the Puig Campana mountain via the steep and direct path that follows the line of scree. However, once we reach a height of approx 1100m we will be turning left off the path and at this point our walk becomes a grade 2 scramble as we head up to Roldans Notch itself! After spending a bit of time in the notch we will be retracing our steps back down to the scree where we will continue up to the coll. From here those who want to feel that they really have 'Done the Puig' will head off to stand on the summit, before we all descend via the traditional route.

All in all it should be a great day out, and a relatively short walk (approx 13Km) but one that includes an approximate total ascent of 1500m!!!

Of course the main thing is that you will get to stand in Roldans Notch - a place where many would like to go, but few have!

 

UPDATE #2 - 22/09/12 - re Relleu Por El Camino De Santiago

Following a further bout of exploring during which we found the route of an ancient but now little used path, but one that proved to be the missing part of the puzzle! So, we have finished up with the great little walk of 18.6Km (shown in pale blue on the map) this is 3.4Km shorter than the 2nd version (dark blue) and still manages to avoid the several Km´s along the main road in version 1 (pink).

 

The missing part of the puzzle!

 

UPDATE 20/09/12 - re Relleu Por El Camino De Santiago

Having just done the walk for a second time, but varying the initial section so as to avoid the main road (CV770) completely (shown on map below in blue vs 1st route in pink). This is although slightly further a much better route.

 

 



Relleu Por 'El Camino De Santiago'

2 wrongs can make a right!

Wrong #1 - Whilst walking with a Steve G a month or so ago, our walk went somewhat wrong due to a large quantity of new fencing that had appeared, blocking our way and forcing us to modify and extend our walk. It was during this diversion, that the conversation turned towards our neighbouring village of Relleu. We were both in agreement that to our knowledge, the only realistic route from Sella to Relleu and back again was a linear walk, which although a nice walk, meant that the outward and return legs both followed the same path. We agreed how much better the walk would be if it were to be a circular route that could include a stop off in Relleu for refreshment.

Wrong #2 - Earlier this week we thought we would take advantage of the continuing glorious weather and have a day on the beach at Villajoyosa. I set off an hour before Angela, the plan being that I would run down to the Orcheta Resevoir where she would pick me up in the car en route. Unfortunately when Angela was ready to leave, the car would not start (flat battery - my fault!). So, I decided that seeing as it was such a nice day, I would just walk back up to Sella. While I was walking through the village of Orcheta I noticed a ceramic tile that featured a yellow arrow and the words Camino de Santiago. Although I was vaguely aware of a 1200Km walk from Alicante to Santiago de Compostela (the Camino Del Sureste) I had no knowledge of its exact route. Anyway as I continued Sellawards, for the next couple of Km's or so I noticed more yellow arrows painted on the side of the road, until eventually they indicated that the route went off to the left away from the main road and up an easy to miss but inviting little path. I resisted the tempting invite! but, following the yellow arrows had brought back happy memories of my own walk to Santiago via the Camino Frances or Camino Real back in 2005. Once home a bit of research on the Internet showed me that what I had actually stumbled on was the 'Ruta Central' leg of the Camino Del Sureste which joins the main Sureste path at Villena before it heads north via Madrid and on to Santiago de Compostella - mmm, now theres an idea!!! However, what was of interest to me at this moment was that from where the camino and I had parted company, the next village that it would pass through was Relleu - at this point in my head the idea of a circular walk starting in Sella and passing through Relleu was suddenly becoming much more of a reality, and further research was required!

So at 07:00 this morning Eric and I set off to investigate this potential new walk. For the initial 6Km section from Sella to where we picked up the Camino route, we managed to avoid the main road for about for about half of the way, and I believe that with a bit more research we may be able to eliminate the main road completely. Once on the Camino we were initially led up a fairly steep but wonderful little path that took us through some stunning scenery, never having to go too far before coming across another reassuring yellow arrow. My fear was that once up this initial part of the Camino, it would simply rejoin the main road all the way to Relleu. What I was hoping was that the Camino would stay away from the road and follow paths and tracks all the way. Well, I was in luck! With the exception of a very short section on the road, we were on paths and tracks for the whole way to Relleu. Considering the proximity of the two villages, the difference in landscape is quite surprising, the terraces of this part of Relleu being generally much bigger and flatter than those of Sella, and much to Eric's delight (unlike around Sella) we seemed to come across a rabbit with every turn! Once in the village of Relleu, options include a drink or something to eat in one of the bars and a visit to the castle before returning to Sella via the popular and well known PRV route - long live the Sella Relleu Circuit!

MHS - 16 September 2012

 

 

Sunday Morning Circuit

I've always enjoyed the direct (but steep) ascent up behind the village onto the Peña da Sella. However, for me, the descent (via the same route) has never held either the same appeal or pleasure! The other option is of course, is to do the walk up and then be met at the top of the Tagarina Valley by a willing party in an automobile and then be conveyed with great haste back down to the village - unfortunately this option does not sit well with my sense of fair play, so therefore has always been an option that I have discounted.

 

I have I believe, come up with a solution which I was able to prove out this morning and does indeed seem to resolve all the above issues. One simply walks up on to the top of the Peña, drops down into the Tagarina Valley and then jogs on back down to Sella along the road! A fine little circuit that has a bit of everything - a 7Km walk, a 10Km run and even includes 1087m (just over 3500ft) of total ascent, total time 3 hours 30 minutes - and back in time for breakfast! (I left at 06:30).

 

 

Stroll Around Ponoch

Bands

Last weekend we were in Benicassim watching bands like Noel Gallagher, The Stone Roses and Bob Dylan - tonight we are in Sella´s main square watching the Finestrat and Sella Bands - ALL FANTASTIC !!!

June Walking Week

Just finished a weeks walking in and around Sella.

Hot Walks

Just got back from doing a 20Km circuit (12Km on foot and 8 on the bike) and believe me it definitely seems hotter than it normally does at this time of year - currently reading 30 degrees C on our thermometer at home. For the next few weeks it is a great time for walking around here as it is what I call butterfly time, with hundreds of them around you as you walk along.

I did a local walk that we call the Contadores Walk, but with a small modification at the far end of the Val d´l Arc, as I wanted to check out a small new section which will become part of the 1558 ZERO Walk that we are currently putting together.

Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

All over the U.K. this weekend people will be celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

CONGRATULATIONS - well done liz.

from villagehouseinspain.com

 

3 Day Walk

Just finished a 3 day walk that has taken us from the Sierra Aitana to the Puig Campana mountain - 43.43Km (26.98 miles) Total Ascent - 2230m (7316ft).

Birthday Party

Click to enlarge

This month it is 10 years since I (Eric 'the Adventure Hound') started living what I think you human types refer to as 'the life of Reilly' as that is how long ago it was that I was rescued from an animal centre in Northamptonshire, England. Today, we had a little party to celebrate. I put on my best outfit (my SuperDog Tee and my Louis Vuitton collar) I had cards and gifts including a pair of Doggles (about time too - they've been on my Amazon wish list for ages!) and I even had a birthday cake complete with candles and bones!

 

The 1st Sella Feria de Abríl

Click to Enlarge

The Feria de Abríl is a celebration that tends to be associated with Seville, but this year it came to Sella! With Tio Pepe, bunting, 'pescaitos' (little fried fish) and a good selection of loud Flamenco music the 1st Sella Feria de Abríl which was organized by this years fiesta commision was a great success. The event which started at 11:00 in the morning continued all day and into the evening, when most people then watched the Real Madrid vs Barcelona football match either on a large screen in the fiesta commision building or up at the pool bar.

 

New 2012 Sella Fiesta Commision T Shirts

We like the design of the new 2012 Sella Fiesta Commision T Shirts!

NOW AVAILABLE in various colours.

 

Exhibition - Pirates, the thieves of the sea

Currently @ the Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante.

 How do you make a pirate angry? Take the 'p' out of him!

  

Unexpected Encounter On The Ponoch Via Ferrata

Today I went with a couple of guys who are staying at Casa Blava to do the via ferrata on Ponoch. While we were sorting out our gear in the car park another car arrived. Two young Spanish ladies and a little fluffy white dog then got out. We bid them a good morning and they asked if we were going to do the ferrata, we told them yes and asked if they were planning to do it as well - we took their affirmative answer with a bit of a pinch of salt (they did not look dressed fo such an outing) and then asked if the little fluffy white dog was going to do it as well, to which we got an equally affirmative  response. I still thought that they were joking until they opened the boot of the car and I saw that it was full of climbing gear (talk about never judge a book by its cover!) Sure enough, while we were enjoying a sandwich at the top of the route, who should emerge over the crest in front of us but a certain 'pink' lady, complete with little fluffy white dog very happily ensconced in her ruck sack!

Eric is dead jealous and thinks that he may be in love!

Sella Pool Bar Re-Opens

The Sella Pool Bar (to be found near the village swimming pool, as you are leaving the village) will be re-opening this week on Friday (30th March).

GOOD LUCK

to Jaume & Daniela

SPECIAL OFFER - 6 NIGHTS FOR €280

This offer is based on a maximum of 4 people and is only available if your booking is from Saturday to Friday. For more information please contact us with your requirements.

NEW LOCAL GEOCACHE - Cova del Diví

When the Moors (after 800 years of occupation) were finally banished from Spain in 1609, many of them believed that their expulsion was only a temporary measure and that they would soon be allowed to return. Because of this, and also because of the speed at which they were forced to leave, this meant that they had very little time to get themselves organized. As a consequence some of the wealthier Moors decided it would be safer and easier to hide their valuable possessions, which they would then be able to retrieve on their return, but as history tells us, this anticipated return never happened.

Over 150 years later, in the 1770s, a local Sella man and farm labourer went to the market in Alicante to sell his cherries. While taking refreshment at an inn, he overheard a conversation between two Moors who had just arrived from Algeria. They were studying and trying to make sense of a crude and ancient map. The Sella man however recognised the landscape drawn on the map straight away, it being of the area of his home town of Sella and in particular, the location of a cave situated in the Divino Mountain. The cave could be identified by the position of the sun's rays at 8 in the morning. The Sella man said nothing to the two Moors and hurried home. With his mule, he headed out to the location described on the map which, being a local, he knew very well - The Divino Cave. There, after a long search, he found it, a large wooden chest, the corner of which was just visible, as it lay hidden in the depths of the cave. The chest contained precious metals and stones of unimaginable value and the life of this humble farm labourer and more significantly those of his his children and grandchildren were changed forever.

So, the question today is, if you set out on a 21st Century treasure hunt, will you find a geocache, or just maybe you'll find some real treasure that was left behind all those years ago?

For more information at geocaching.com CLICK HERE

 

A Change In The Weather

Waited for the rain to ease off a bit.
Went for a short walk.
Got SOAKED!

WALK: Sella - Divino - Peña - Sella

Km - 15.72

Ascent - 1072m
Steve G - Knackered!

Puig Campana - Roldans Notch (El Tall de Roldán)

For as long as I care to remember whenever I have looked up at the Puig Campana mountain my focus has always been drawn to the notch and I have always said to myself, one day I'm going to stand in that bugger - well today was the day!

Terry Gifford and I left Sella at 08:30 this morning. Because we had pretty much no knowledge of the route, we had decided to carry a full climbing rack - just in case! This meant that we were both carrying packs that weighed in just short of 10Kg, which when you are just about to board a Ryanair flight feels heavy enough, let alone when you are about to do a total ascent of 1327m (4354ft)!

Map of the Route

Height Profile

We had perfect weather for our little excursion - blue sky and sunshine. We came up from the North side, parking just below the refuge. We then went up to the coll and then dropped back down into the gully for about 200m before starting our scramble (grade 2) up to the notch, which we reached 3 hours after leaving the car. We spent about half an hour in the notch which is an amazing place to be, it's sides towering about 200ft above you and stunning views towards the coast and then with a quick spin of the head equally stunning views inland. We returned by the same route which took about 2 and a half hours.

We don't know anyone else who has been into the notch but would be interested to hear from you if you have.

Me celebrating in the notch with a tot of brandy!

Terry feeling victorious!

Everest Conquered - Sort Of!

As you may know I have been monitoring my total 'total ascents' since the begining of the year (see: Total Ascent 2012) I am pleased to tell you that yesterday, 17 March 2012 at 10:03:21AM whilst walking on the Puig Campana this figure reached 29,035ft - the same height as Mount Everest!

Geocache - Cova de L'Aigua

Eric, Leonard and I had a great walk today, up onto the Peña de sella then down to the Cova de L'Aigua (water cave) where we found the geocache. We then returned to the top of the Peña and continued with our circular walk. Oh, and Leonard is Mr. Leonard Cohen - he wasn't actually with us, but accompanied us via my iPod!

geocaching.com - Cova de L'Aigua

Buddhist Valley + Sanchet Walk

Sella - Val d'Arc - Divino - Peña de Sella - Cova de Agua - Sella

Map of Route

Height Profile

I came across a couple of things last week that I thought were quite interesting, the first is a Spanish word used to describe a hard challenging walk or track - senderoextrem (sendero being a path or a track). The second was a local route that I was not previously aware of - to the summit of the Divino mountain, but starting in the Val d'Arc at the base of the mountain, as opposed to the top of the Tagarina valley where we normally start from. So, I had a little chat with my walking companion Eric, and after a bit of discussion we decided to try and combine these two new learnings!

So, our day started at 07:00 before the sun had even got out of bed. We walked out of Sella heading off down the Val d'Arc, past the climbers refuge and at 08:00 we arrived at the point where we turned left off the main track and onto unfamiliar territory and a narrow path that, in theory, would lead us up the mountain to its summit which stood some 570m (1870 ft) above us. As we started our ascent I was pleasantly surprised by how reasonably defined the path actually was (I had expected nothing). On a few occasions it did seem to disappear, but we may have actually wandered off it, before finding it again a bit higher up. I'm not sure if it is a man path or a pig path, probably a combination of the two. It was not long before we came across a short run of scree that we had to ascend, but not too long or too difficult. Once we were approximately three quarters of the way up the mountain, the vegetation gave way to rock slabs that anyone who has walked on the Peña de Sella will be familiar with, and this meant the going got slightly easier. It was now just a question of enjoying the views, keep moving up and eventually and quite suddenly both the summit and familiar territory came into view - 10 minutes later we were on the top. As I sat looking at the view, Eric in meantime was looking at a herd of deer that were traversing the mountain below us, fortunately he did not give chase! Our ascent from the bottom of the valley to the top of the mountain had taken just under one and a half hours.

We now descended via the normal route to the Font de Alemany where we took on more water before heading up onto the Peña de Sella. Once on the Peña, as we were heading up to the first of the three ascents, Eric decided to take a slightly different route, not unusual behaviour on his part, and I continued, expecting to meet him at the top. Once on this first summit I waited, and called out to Eric, and waited, and whistled and waited. I then started to retrace my steps, calling and whistling but still no sign. I did a full circle, descending and re-ascending, but alas nothing. I then repeated this circuit again continually calling out to my companion (the gauge on my concernometer gradually getting higher and higher). On my third sweep I finally spotted some movement below, not however my companion, but at least a possible explanation - more deer traversing the mountain. My suspicions were that he had either seen them or picked up on their scent and gone off in pursuit, which meant that he could now be absolutely anywhere, but hopefully not down a ravine. I continued my circuit ending up back at my high point which gave me good views far into the distance, but still no sign of my little white companion. So, my plan now was to return to the font, thinking that after a 'chase' he may of returned there in search of water. I was hoping the Spanish farmer who I had bid good morning to as he tended his land just above the font on our way up was still there. As I approached, I saw him talking with two other locals (both of whom I knew) so I went over and made enquiries as to whether they had seen my dog? One of them immediately asked if it was a small white one - 'yes, yes, white and brown' my excited response, relief swept through me as he told me that he had seen Eric down at the font. I thanked them and quickly continued on my way. As I went round the next bend, who should be coming up in the opposite direction, my not so faithful little friend! He was looking slightly sheepish, but apart from that quite pleased with himself - I gave him a bit of a talking to, explaining the risks of splitting up with no defined plan in place when high in the mountains, my words were hard, but my tone was soft, I was so relieved to have found him and that he was alright. So, bearing in mind that this unexpected extension to the days walk had added nearly 2 hours we now had a choice, abandon it and phone for a lift, or to continue? I knew that I had to walk back up onto the Peña to get a signal on my phone so that gave me a few minutes to make my decision. It was a perfect day, clear blue sky, the temperature was around 20 degrees C. and in spite of the 2 hour 'dog hunt' the time was still only 12:30 so, taking all that into account plus the fact that I don't like to give up on an idea the decision was to continue.

We made good time traversing the Peña and the only decision left to make was whether to make our decent via a route we know well directly behind Sella, or to continue with our original plan and descend via The Water Cave (Cova de Agua), where the path has almost no definition, its a route that I don't know well and one I knew would fall into the senderoextrem category!

The descent to the cave went well, aided by red paint marks which lead the way and fixed ropes in a few places, we arrived much quicker than expected. From the cave there are no red paint marks to assist and it's not so much a question of finding the safest route down, but more a question of finding the least dangerous route down! However, we took our time and although on occasions I had to assist Eric down some of the steeper sections, we eventually reached the landmark that we had been aiming for, a lonely pine tree from where a path leads you through the forrest to the road and back to Sella.

We both slept very well that night!

Conclusions - there are various routes from Sella up onto the Peña de Sella/Divino (5 that I know of) all of them are challenging (some more than others) but reward you with incredible views and a great sense of achievement. As far as routes back down again, while it it possible to descend all of them, there are only 2 that I would recommend. The first is get someone to meet you in the Tagarina valley and come back down in a car! or if that's not possible or like me you would consider that to be 'cheating' then the PRV 198 & 199 route directly behind Sella that goes past the phone mast, is in my opinion the most defined, and easiest route (that does NOT mean easy!)

MHS Feb 2012

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