South Face Direct Route - Naranjo de Bulnes, (Pico Urriellu)
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South Face Direct Route
Beauty
First ascent
Juan Tomas & Alfonso Martinez plus 6 clients, 13/08/1944
By
Ian Martin
Orientation
S
Length
200m
Difficulty
V- / HS (4b)
The most popular route on Naranjo de Bulnes. This, the original line of ascent, provides a classic outing on good rock in some stunning positions. A steep but well protected start gradually eases off to more slabby rock that decreases with difficulty as height is gained.
Getting there
Refuge Urriellu (1950m) is the best base for all climbing on Naranjo de Bulnes. It is reached either from Fuente De cable car in about 3 and a half hours, or from the village of Sotres in slightly less time, but with slightly more height gain. Those with older cars, may be able to ‘bounce’ their way slightly higher up the track to reduce the walk in though! Access
From the Refuge Urriellu follow the small path that traverses around the North East Spur of the Tower and up into the ‘Canal de la Celada’. Follow the cairns up steeper slopes then traverse South East to arrive at the ‘Col de la Celada’. This takes about 1 hour from the Hut and gives some amazing views of the East Face. Descent
Route well equipped for abseil descent. Gear
The route is well equipped belays with new abseil rings as it is also used as the main descent route from the summit. En-route, there are a few pegs and the odd bolt, but a normal sized rack (including some cams) will suffice. Notes
The main difficulties are confined to the lower few pitches. Some may chose to scramble without the rope on the upper section. Maps/Bibliography
The most up to date guidebook (in English) is an e-book download from climbpicosdeeuropa.com. Cicerone have a guidebook that has been regularly reprinted, but the content has remained the same since 1989, so it is well worth getting the update! If you are able to read Spanish, then “Cordillera Cantabrica – Escaladas Selectas en Roca” by M.A. Adrados is the best. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, this has some good colour topos, to help you out!
Refuge Urriellu (1950m) is the best base for all climbing on Naranjo de Bulnes. It is reached either from Fuente De cable car in about 3 and a half hours, or from the village of Sotres in slightly less time, but with slightly more height gain. Those with older cars, may be able to ‘bounce’ their way slightly higher up the track to reduce the walk in though! Access
From the Refuge Urriellu follow the small path that traverses around the North East Spur of the Tower and up into the ‘Canal de la Celada’. Follow the cairns up steeper slopes then traverse South East to arrive at the ‘Col de la Celada’. This takes about 1 hour from the Hut and gives some amazing views of the East Face. Descent
Route well equipped for abseil descent. Gear
The route is well equipped belays with new abseil rings as it is also used as the main descent route from the summit. En-route, there are a few pegs and the odd bolt, but a normal sized rack (including some cams) will suffice. Notes
The main difficulties are confined to the lower few pitches. Some may chose to scramble without the rope on the upper section. Maps/Bibliography
The most up to date guidebook (in English) is an e-book download from climbpicosdeeuropa.com. Cicerone have a guidebook that has been regularly reprinted, but the content has remained the same since 1989, so it is well worth getting the update! If you are able to read Spanish, then “Cordillera Cantabrica – Escaladas Selectas en Roca” by M.A. Adrados is the best. Even if you don’t speak Spanish, this has some good colour topos, to help you out!
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Beauty
First ascent
Juan Tomas & Alfonso Martinez plus 6 clients, 13/08/1944
By
Ian Martin
Orientation
S
Length
200m
Difficulty
V- / HS (4b)
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