Es Pontàs
{{short description|Sea-arch in Mallorca, Spain}}
{{Infobox landform
| water =
| name = Es Pontàs
| other_name =
| photo = Es Pontàs.jpg
| photo_caption = Es Pontàs as seen from 'Mirador Es Pontas'
| map = Spain Majorca
| map_caption = Es Pontàs within Mallorca
| elevation_ft = 65
| elevation_ref = {{cite web | website=NaturalArches.org | url=https://www.naturalarches.org/gallery-Spain-EsPontas.htm | title=Es Pontas | date=2023 | accessdate=20 August 2023}}
| location = Santanyí (Balearic Islands, Spain)
| range =
| coordinates = {{coord|39.325556|N|3.144722|E|type:landmark|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| length =
| width =
| area =
| topo =
| type = Natural arch
| age =
| volcanic_arc/belt =
| last_eruption =
| operator =
| designation =
| website =
}}
Es Pontàs ("the big bridge" in the Catalan language) is a natural arch made from limestone in the southeastern part of the island of Mallorca in Spain. The arch is located on the coastline between the Cala Santanyí and Cala Llombards in the municipality of Santanyí, and is approximately {{Convert|20|m|ft|adj=off}} in height. Es Pontàs is only accessible by boat or by swimming, and is a popular scenic location for tourists to Mallorca (particularly at sunrise and sunset) who view it from the 'Mirador Es Pontas'.{{cite book | title=Deep Water: Rockfax Guidebook to Deep Water Soloing | first=Mike | last=Robinson | date=2007 | isbn=978-1873341766 | publisher=Rockfax|page=8 | chapter=Es Pontàs (9a+)}}
Climbing area
The arch is also a deep-water soloing (DWS) climbing area,{{cite web | website=theCrag | title=Es Pontàs, Deep water soloing | date=2023 | accessdate=20 August 2023 | url=https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/spain/mallorca/area/123206286 }} and the first routes in the guidebook date from circa 2003 with Stop Look and Listen {{climbing grade|6a+}} and Treasure Island {{climbing grade|6b}}.{{cite book | title=Spain: Mallorca, Sport Climbing and Deep Water Soloing | first1=Alan |last1=James | first2=Mark |last2=Glaister | first3=Daimon |last3=Beail | date=2016 | isbn=978-1873341186 | publisher=Rockfax | page=350-354 | chapter=Es Pontas (9a+), Santanyi}} The area is most noted for Chris Sharma's DWS routes, and particularly Pontax {{climbing grade|8c}} in 2005, and Es Pontàs {{climbing grade|9a+}} in 2006.{{cite web | website=PlanetMountain | url=https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/interviews/jernej-kruder-the-es-pontas-interview.html | title=Jernej Kruder / the Es Pontas deep water solo interview | date=2 November 2016 | accessdate=18 August 2023}} Es Pontàs was the first-ever DWS route at the grade of {{climbing grade|9a+}}, and at the time that Sharma made the first ascent, it was one of only a handful of rock climbing routes in the world at that grade.{{cite web | magazine=Rock & Ice | title=Interview: Jan Hojer on His Third Ascent of "Es Pontas" (5.15a Deep Water Solo) | first=Michael | last=Leavy | date=8 October 2018 | accessdate=18 August 2023 | url=https://www.rockandice.com/climbing-news/interview-jan-hojer-on-his-third-ascent-of-es-pontas-5-15a-deep-water-solo/}} Sharma's ascent of Es Pontàs is captured in the 2007 film, King Lines.{{cite web | magazine=Climbing | url=https://www.climbing.com/people/chris-sharma-climber-best-all-time-5-15/ | title=Chris Sharma—One Of The Best And Most Influential Rock Climbers Of All Time | first=Owen | last=Clarke | date=11 June 2022 | accessdate=11 June 2022}}{{cite web | website=Gripped | url=https://gripped.com/profiles/watch-chris-sharmas-most-spectacular-climb-es-pontas-remastered/ | title=Watch Chris Sharma's Most Spectacular Climb Es Pontás, Remastered | date=25 April 2021 | accessdate=18 June 2022}}{{cite magazine | magazine=Outside | url=https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/best-climbing-mountaineering-films-of-all-time/ | first=Andrew | last=Bisharat | date=6 September 2022 | accessdate=18 October 2022 | title=The 20 Best Climbing Films of All Time|quote=Number 11. King Lines (2007)}}{{cite news|last=Lewis|first=Ashley|title=King Lines|url=http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=681|magazine=UKClimbing Magazine|date=3 December 2007 | accessdate=20 August 2023}}
See also
- Azure Window, sea arch in Malta
- Durdle Door, sea arch in England
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat|Es Pontàs|Es Pontàs}}
- [https://hardclimbs.info/climbs/es-pontas/ Es Pontas], Hard Climbs (2023)
- [https://www.mountainproject.com/area/106480500/es-pontas Es Pontas Rock Climbing], Mountain Project (2023)
- [https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/chris-sharma-mallorca-es-pontas-remastered.html VIDEO: Chris Sharma’s Mallorca Es Pontas remastered], PlanetMountain (2021)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Es Pontas}}
Category:Rock formations of Spain
Category:Landforms of the Balearic Islands
Category:Climbing areas of Spain
Category:Tourist attractions in Mallorca
{{Balearics-geo-stub}}