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.
Route "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.
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Santi is the best climbing guide you can imagine. As a reference, we two are 6a-7a climbers, but we wanted a local guide to help maximize efficiency in a foreign area. He was highly recommended to us by a friend who Santi guided a few months back, and he was as wonderful as described. He takes his role as Guide seriously and comprehensively, from helping you plan ideas for areas to concentrate on, considerations of weather and season, logistics for where to stay and how to get there (he picked us up one day, and we met him in our car another), as well as making himself available to help with any other questions or needs for the trip as a whole (not just the climbing part). Our long chain of detailed texts show how dedicated and sincere he is in wanting to help plan the best trip possible for you. This was highly unique, unexpected, above and beyond, and much appreciated. Before you've even met, he treats you more like a friend coming to visit Spain than a client that he is just doing business with, and that warmth goes a long way and sets him apart from most any other guide I've experienced (i've had great guides in my life, so this just reinforces Santi's particularly special character). Like I really felt like we were friends, and still feel like we are, as he reaches out and keeps in touch still and I really appreciate that relationship. Humanity, sincerity, and kindness in business--what a crazy (wonderful) concept! As a climbing guide specifically: he is consummately professional, impressively knowledgable and safe, as well as comfortingly sensitive to your climbing abilities and needs, and tailors each day with climbs that are perfect for you--if you want to be comfortable or if you want a little/big challenge, if you want to experience highlights of an area by switching up crags in the same day. He knows the areas so well and of course knows how to choose the walls that are in the shade or in the sun for whatever time of day or season you are climbing. There is so much variety and fun for either multi or single pitch too. In addition, when we were all climbed out for the day, he took the opportunity to show us the beauty of the local areas, playing also a photographer and travel guide. He also went home to let us borrow his guide book to other areas that we were headed to later, and kept in touch to make sure the rest of our trip went smoothly. So nice! Here is a person who treats his job as a climbing guide and ambassador for the area with such deep consideration and earnestness, and who treats his role as a human being with exceptional kindness and faith. We are so grateful that he came into our lives as a climbing guide and as a friend. Thank you Santi for being you, and please everyone call him now for any guiding adventures (he travels to guide too!) Also, his rates are so fair and reasonable. And you will be so happy if he is available to take you on an adventure with him! Cheers!
(Translated by Google) Fantastic people who teach you calmly and most importantly having fun. Thank you!!! To repeat
(Original) Gente fantástica que te enseña con calma y lo más importante disfrutando. Merci!!! Para repetir
(Translated by Google) Hilario and I turned to SouthClimb to do a long route in Montserrat. In our case, Santiago made us an excellent guide, we recommend him and above all we will repeat the experience. He makes you feel very safe and comfortable on the wall, he explains all kinds of details, both safety and technical details of the track, he is an expert in it. Days before, he gives you all kinds of details and information, adjusting the time of the activity and the necessary material very well. Just thank him and encourage everyone who wants to discover similar experiences, he is a great person.
(Original) Hilario y yo recurrimos a SouthClimb para hacer una vía larga en Montserrat. En nuestro caso, Santiago nos hizo una guía excelente, la recomendamos y sobre todo repetiremos la experiencia. Te hace sentir muy seguro y cómodo en la pared, te explica todo tipo de detalles, tanto de seguridad, como técnicos propios de la vía, es un experto en ello. Días antes te da todo tipo de detalles e información, ajustando muy bien el tiempo de la actividad y material necesario. Solo darle las gracias y animar a todo aquel que quiera descubrir experiencias similares, es una gran persona.
(Translated by Google) A great climbing day!
(Original)Un dia d'escalada genial!
(Translated by Google) Excellent rock initiation course. Highly recommended!
(Original) Excelente curso de iniciación en roca. Altamente recomendable!
(Translated by Google) Nice and very attentive
(Original)Agradables y muy atentos
(Translated by Google) A great professional and very nice
(Original) Un gran profesional i molt simpatic
(Translated by Google) Climbing course with Santi in Siurana. Fantastic and with a lot of patience on your part.😄💪
(Original) Curso de escalada con Santi en Siurana. Fantástico y con mucha paciència por parte suya.😄💪
(Translated by Google) Very professional, we had a great day thanks to southclimb with the climbing baptism course, we will surely do the advanced course! This sport is the cane and on top of that it allows you to travel to meet new places and new people! 200% recommended 🙏 Thank you Santi and Sara! 🤘⚡
(Original) Muy profesionals, pasamos un dia genial gracias a southclimb con el curso de bautizo en escalada seguro vamos a hacer el curso avanzado! Este deporte es la caña y encima te permite viajar para conocer nuevos sitios I nueva gente! 200% recomendable 🙏 Gracias Santi y Sara! 🤘⚡
(Translated by Google) We did an initiation course in mountaineering where we learned many things, from the use of the ARVA, walking with snowshoes, the use of crampons and setting up meetings. We had a great time and Santi is an excellent teacher. Completely recommended to take courses with Southclimb
(Original) Hicimos un curso de iniciación en alpinismo donde aprendimos muchas cosas, desde la utilización del ARVA, caminar con raquetas, uso de crampones y montar reuniones. La pasamos muy bien y Santi es un excelente profe. Completamente recomendable hacer cursos con Southclimb
