October 11, 2019 | TRIPS
VERDON GORGE CLIMBING TRIP
A short tale about a climbing trip to the iconic Verdon Gorge.
A short tale about a climbing trip to the iconic Verdon Gorge.
It was my second time visiting this little paradise in the south of France, and still it felt a bit intimidating and exposed. There is nothing easy about the Verdon Gorge. It was hard to get lodging at a decent prize in town, so we ended up booking a mobile home in Castellane, about 25/30 min drive to the Parking of La Carelle. And we made it. We only had three climbing days ahead of us, so we had to use them wisely.
For th first day we decided it was best to choose some ¨easy¨, routes. The guys I am travelling with have little experience on multipitch route, and let alone handling all the exposure at Verdon. So We went for some routes at the Belvedere de la Carelle. We splitted in two teams and got ready to rap down.
Climbing in Verdon implies full commitment. You choose a route, you rap down and pull the rope, and then you have ti be able to climb up. If you do your homework, you have look around for alternative exits. and also have the topos for an easier route, in cas you can´t make it up the route you have choosen.
First day went down and it was great. We climbed fun routes and enjoyed a nice day in the sun.
Next day we went for a slighty harder route. Hellfest, 7a, 260mts. It was a blast. ONe of the better routes i´ve climbed here so far. Sustained climbing on amazing rock and very well protected. It was much fun.
Third day we went for a route i´ve been wanting to climb for some time. L´Encastete. 7a+, 280mts. we climbed the first two pitches and got shut down by some rain. So we ended up bailing. The first two where something amazing. I will come back to climb this route to the top.
What are the names of the best climbers in the world? Alex Lowe, considered one of the greatest mountaineers in history, who tragically died in September 1999 due to an avalanche on Shisha Pangma (8,027 meters), said: "The best climber in the world is the one who has the most fun."
LEARN MORERoute "Delenda Carthago," 180 meters, 6b. It's a modern-style route, generously bolted, and perfect for climbing on a cool autumn morning due to its south-facing orientation.
LEARN MOREYou can contact us via email at [email protected] or by phone to (+34) 645 432 307, or by filling up the contact form in the following link.
Messaged Santi to teach us lead climbing outside as it was our first time. He was very responsive with his communication and we sorted out a day to climb. We climbed at a really scenic location. Santi tought us most of the aspects required to perform lead climbing and was very patient, effective and an all round down to earth person. By the end of the day we were almost competent lead climbers. I would definitely recommend him if you want it learn how to climb or need a challenging route to climb with assistance.
First of all, I want to thank Santi - our rock climbing guide - for an excellent teaching!!⚡️
He was consistent, attentive to our strengths and weaknesses, inspiring confidence and really professional (technically and psychologically)!
I finally overcome my fear of lead rope climbing which followed me for a long long time… A friend of mine had his first time real rock climbing and now he already knows both types (lead and top) of climbing and belaying!🤯
And it hasn't felt like a boring studying with a tired of all this annoying tourists instructor. Santi was behaving not just as a mentor, but also as a friend of us🤝🏻
Hope to climb together one day again✨🏔️
(Translated by Google) Excellent experience
(Original)Excelente experiencia
(Translated by Google) Great experience from Santi's hand. We did two long routes in Monserrat and Santi was very professional at all times and a wonderful person. 10/10!!
(Original) Buenísima experiencia de la mano de Santi. Hicimos dos rutas largas en Monserrat y Santi fue muy profesional en todo momento y una persona maravillosa. 10/10!!
Best Guide Ever! Seriously- we had such a fun day with Santi in Montserrat. My 3 friends from Switzerland were visiting and we all had such blast! I can truly recommend to book a tour with South Climb. Professional, fun and tons of positive energy 🙏 Thank you for everything.
(Translated by Google) I did a climbing baptism with them. Both the place where we went, the Mussara, the equipment provided and the attention of the monitors was excellent.
(Original) Hice un bautizo de escalada con ellos. Tanto el sitio a donde fuimos, la Mussara, el equipo facilitado y la atención de los monitores fue excelente.
(Translated by Google) 100% recommendable. Santi is a crack, and he explains himself great! Eager to repeat!!
(Original) 100% recomendable. Santi es un crack, y se explica genial! Con ganas de repetir!!
My goal coming to Spain was to get out for a couple days rock climbing with my family. I’m a fairly accomplished climber but the mechanics of trying to take the family out on my own. Mariano our guide was the perfect example of what a guide should be, he was quick to set up and take down the climbs, had the perfect eye for challenging but achievable routes for the family, was friendly, great with the kids, a just an all around good guy. I can’t recommend this company enough, and am already planning my return trip to Spain to climb with them.
(Translated by Google) Excellent. Quality, a very professional and very human treatment. I learned a lot and had a great time 🌈♥️
(Original) Excellent. Calidad, un trato muy profesional y muy humano. Aprendí mucho y me lo pasé genial 🌈♥️
(Translated by Google) I love Santi, he knows what he teaches. He dominates the subject, he pressures you to understand it and, above all, he is aware of all the details. He is there at all times, I don't know how he does it. If you really want to learn this is your Guide... I recommend it a thousand and especially if you have some internal fears to solve. You will never feel unprotected. Always with care and love. Safe laughs. A thousand recommended if you don't believe me go to any course you want with him and you'll want to continue learning your test and you won't be wrong. For my top!!!!
(Original) Me encanta Santi, Sabe lo que ensena. Domina el tema, te presiona para que lo captes y sobre todo esta pendiente de todos los detalles. El esta en todos los momentos no se como lo hace. Si quieres aprender de verdad este es tu Guia.... Lo recomiendo mil y sobre todo si tienes algunos miedos internos que resolver. Nunca te sentiras desprotegido. Siempre con mimo y amor. Risas seguras. Mil recomendado si no me crees ve con el a algun curso el que quieras y querras seguir aprendiendo tu prueba y no te equivocaras. Para mi top!!!!
