by Kevin Avery-Assistant Editor- UKC Whilst parts of the UK may be experiencing what could almost be dubbed a „properwinter,“ some British climbers have opted to headfor warmer climes this January. First off Gaz Parry has made some notable ascents at Sella´s Sector Wild Side. On 5th January Gaz made a quick redpoint of Espacio Tiempo F8c as well as on-sighting both La Forquet Del Diablo O Romocop and Dimension Diamante both F8a+ on the same day commenting: „They were more like F8a but excellent climbing.“ More recently Gaz also on-sighted The Destroyer F8a at the Los Pinos/Pinturas area. Prior to his sport climbing exploits Gaz repeated a Mark Edwards E7 (name currently unknown) on the Costa Blanca which he thought was perhaps slightly over-graded and more like E4, but he was as psyched as ever saying: „I cant wait to do some more!“ Next up is Chris Savage who has also been busy at Sector Wild Side. On the 9th January he red-pointed Pintoreta an F8c that he describes as: „25m indoor like climbing to a rest at 12m which you can get footin hole then bouldery rounded tufa then big reaches to the top!bad assline“ Chris also on-sighted the route Ergometria F8a at the samecrag a few days earlier. This is a good start to 2009 for Chris and follows onfrom last year´s good form which included two more F8c red-points andan F8b on-sight. Finally further north, Tom Bolger continues his love affair with the imposing Catalunyan cave that is Santa Linya. On 25th January Tom red-pointed Santa Lena F8c/+, a route which he describes as: „Really amazing. Slopey and crimpy.“ Earlier in the month Tom also came agonisingly close to an on-sight of the F8b route, Santa Linya. Apparently another amazing and crimpy outing, Tom managed to red-pointit on his first attempt but was obviously disappointed to have blownthe on-sight. „Estoy idiota“ was the comment I think he made! You can view some photos of Tom´s ascenthere. Climbing in the Costa Blanca area has suffered a recent set-back with a large fire breaking out on thePuig Campana. Tragically we have had reports that several people have been killed. More information is available on this UKC Forum Thread.


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