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.
A selection of the best spots to climb during winter in Siurana.
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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) In August I climbed two long routes in the Pyrenees with Santi, "Tanger" in Collegats and the next day "El Rap del Niño" in Cavallers. A fantastic experience and the best guide to get back to climbing after a break of almost a year due to injury. 100% recommended :)
(Original) En agosto escalé con Santi dos vías largas en el Pirineo, "Tanger" en Collegats y al día siguiente "El Rap del Niño" en Cavallers. Una experiencia fantástica y el mejor guía para volver a escalar después de un parón de casi un año debido a una lesión. 100% recomendado :)
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) I did the long route course with Santi and the experience was excellent, with great emphasis on safety and all the factors to take into account when planning a long route and the necessary manoeuvres. The practice day left us to work and find our way on our own, intervening when necessary and always keeping a watchful eye that everything was done safely. Always with good humor and good treatment, which is not less in situations of nerves and tension. Thank you so much!
(Original) Hice el curso de vía larga con Santi y la experiencia fue excelente, con mucho énfasis en la seguridad y todos las factores a tener en cuenta para planificar una vía larga y las maniobras necesarias. El día de práctica nos dejó trabajar y buscar camino solos, interviniendo cuando era necesario y manteniendo siempre una mirada atenta a que todo esté hecho de manera segura. Siempre con buen humor y buen trato, que no es menor en situaciones de nervios y de tensión. Muchas gracias!
Had an amazing time learning to multi-pitch with Santi and Mariano in Montserrat. They were patient with us and taught us everything we need. We ended the day by climbing El Gorro Frigo (5 pitches).
(Translated by Google) We have been with Santi for two days in Siurana and Vallirana and he has been an incredible teacher. Knowing very little, we have had an incredible experience. Santi is super attentive, patient and knows perfectly how to transfer his knowledge to people of any level. We would repeat for sure!!
(Original) Hemos estado con Santi dos días en Siurana y Vallirana y ha sido un profesor increíble. De saber poquísimo, nos hemos llevado una experiencia increíble. Santi es súper atento, paciente y sabe perfectamente como trasladar su conocimiento a personas de cualquier nivel. Repetiriamos seguro!!
(Translated by Google) Rappelling course in the Mussara, excellent monitor, explanations of 10 and fantastic practices. I recommend 100%
(Original) Curso de rapel en la Mussara, monitor excelente, explicaciones de 10 y prácticas fantásticas. Recomiendo 100%
(Translated by Google) Brutal experience! Dynamic, very instructive, great team and very professional monitor.
(Original) Experiencia brutal! Dinamica, muy instructiva, gran equipo y monitor muy profesional.
(Translated by Google) A great climbing teacher, a great mountaineer who transmits everything related to mountain activities very well.
(Original) Un grandísimo profesor de escalada, un gran montañero que transmite muy bién todo lo relacionado con las actividades de montaña..
(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.
