Mini Print Pedraforca / Chova Piquigualda (Catalan / Spanish)

The Pedraforca was the very first peak I ever climbed in my life. Out of nowhere, a friend started a WhatsApp group, looped a few of us in, and dragged us headfirst into the world of people who actually climb mountains. First, we did a normal, casual hike (looking back, probably just to trick us) and then: boom! Straight to Pedraforca, which is a solid 5 kilometers of pure uphill climbing. Just 5 kilometers and 1,000 meters of elevation gain, a concept I completely failed to understand the importance of back then when getting into hiking. And well, I have to admit that when we hit the scree slope (la tartera), I was honestly terrified. But we made it to the top, and I had an amazing time, truly :)

Once up at the Pollegó Superior, while we were sitting down eating our sandwiches, she showed up: the yellow-billed chough, or chova piquigualda or Pyrrhocorax graculus (though I obviously had no idea what it was called at the time) making a screeching sound that didn't match its look at all. I was instantly drawn to its super bright yellow beak contrasting against its jet-black feathers. And there it just stays, waiting for a few sandwich crumbs while you desperately try to catch your breath.

That’s why I wanted to draw her. Because it was my first mountain, because I struggled a bit but would do it all over again, and because I didn't want to make just another generic Pedraforca postcard. I wanted something that anyone who’s climbed it would instantly recognize, because if we saw the chova up there, I'm sure everyone else has too, standing at 2,5006 meters crowning the Pedraforca.

Perfect for remembering your own mountain climb or sending to the human you share grueling hiking routes and shared suffering with. You can choose it in Spanish or Catalan.