Night send of Pico de Teide!

Volcano de Teide seems absolutely massive when you're on it, because the Island runs from 12,188 feet all the way to the ocean at sea level, which makes it a very prominent peak. After spending the week in a tropical beach environment it was strange to enter such an alpine enviornment as we drove up the switch backs the scenery reminded me of Colorado with the fir trees, and there was snow up there too! 

The money shot. On the peak at sunset. Clouds far below. La Gomera, and La Palma islands rising out of the Atlantic Ocean in the background.

We climbed at an alpine crag to start which may be the most unique rock I've ever climbed on. It was multicolored, green, red and orange, rough in texture, and wavy creating sharp spires to surrmount.

Picture from top of climb at Capricho. With views of Pico de Teide in the background.

Kieran Haley and I decided to leave the crag early to try to climb to the peak before Sunset. We rushed up there in only 3 and a half hours and caught one of the most amazing sunsets I've seen, high above the clouds, with views of all the canary Island archipelago. We brought plenty of snacks and water, however after spending the week at sea level my head was spinning at that altitude, breathing was difficult, and my hands were freezing at -7 degrees celsius. 

Preparing for the slog with Kieran, and Haley

Me, completely out of breath, hiking in the shadow of the summit pyramid.

In addition, we had a full moon that night. After a crazy orange moonrise, we only used headlamps where necessary on the way down, preferring the natural light of the moon and stars above.

We got back very late, but we where talking the whole way down had a grand adventure. 

Moon Rise, hiking down the mountain in the dark.

Overall the week at Tenerife was a success, I met so many people from around the world, many of them living on Grand Canary. Onsighted a 7b the electric silla and played lots of late night Catan, Chess, and conversations at the hostel.