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October 11, 2019 | TRIPS

VERDON GORGE CLIMBING TRIP

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.

Topping out after the first route in Verdon.
Topping out after the first route in Verdon.

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.

Rappeling down at the Verdon Gorge.
Rappeling down at the Verdon Gorge.

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.

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Client Reviews
Excellent!

(Translated by Google) I did a climbing course with my two children, everything was very well organized and we had a great time. I'm sure we'll do it again.
(Original) Hice un curso de escalada con mis dos hijos , todo muy bien organizado lo pasamos muy bien .Seguro que repetimos .

– Jessica Martin Fortes
Excellent!

(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.

– lara panicot
Excellent!

Everything was perfect. Santi is a very experienced climber and an amazing teacher. we enjoyed alot with my friends and can’t wait to do it again.

– Naji Vahedi
Excellent!

(Translated by Google) A great morning of climbing with Mariano for Siurana. Small groups of people, which allows you to hang out and feel safe at all times. Highly recommended!
(Original) Un matí genial d’escalada amb el Mariano per Siurana. Grups reduïts de gent, cosa que permet apendre i sentir-te segura en tot moment. Molt recomenable!

– Ivet Gutierrez
Excellent!

We had an amazing climbing week with Santi. He was experienced and organized everything perfectly. Santi is encouraging, patient and truth worthy, I would climb with him if had chance!

– Yicheng Wang
Excellent!

(Translated by Google) It has been a very good experience taking the climbing initiation course, we have learned basic concepts in a very entertaining and fun way. 100% recommendable. Surely we will repeat with the course a little more advanced! Thank you Santi and Guillem!
(Original) Ha sido una muy buena experiencia realizar el curso de iniciación a la escalada, hemos aprendido conceptos básicos de manera muy amena y divertida. 100% recomendable. Seguro que repetiremos con el curso un poco mas avanzado! Gracias Santi y Guillem !

– Jorge Torres Garcia
Excellent!

(Translated by Google) Excellent course with Santi. I have done the rock climbing initiation course, a very complete course and ideal for those people who have never rock climbed or who already climb but want to improve. Apart from the great professionalism and confidence that he transmits at all times, I want to highlight the detail of being very aware of each one of us (group of 6 people). It has also taken into account the weather and the sectors where to climb without wind or cold. Very highly recommended!
(Original) Excelente curso con Santi. He hecho el curso de iniciación a escalada en Roca, curso muy completo y ideal para esas personas que no han escalado en roca nunca o que ya escalan pero quieren perfeccionar. A parte de la gran profesionalidad y confianza que transmite en todo momento, quiero destacar el detalle de estar muy pendiente de cada uno de nosotros (grupo de 6 personas). También ha tenido en cuenta la meteo y los sectores dónde escalar sin viento ni frío. Muy muy recomendable!

– Gemma Margarit
Excellent!

(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!

– Bethania Luz Lanzaco
Excellent!

(Translated by Google) It has been a pleasure to do the via Larga climbing course with Santi. We learned a lot and had a great time both days. Santi has been like a friend and teacher. Soon we will return to do more courses with you. Gasss
(Original) Ha sido un placer hacer el curso de escalada de via larga con santi. Aprendimos mucho y nos lo pasamos muy bien los dos dias. Santi ha sido como un amigo y profesor. En breves volveremos para hacer mas cursos con vosotros. Gasss

– Victor ML
Excellent!

(Translated by Google) Santi is one of the best guides I've met, I did the sport climbing course with him, the long route course and I also went for a couple of days to do sport climbing. He has always been very kind and friendly, the explanations he gives are clear and very useful. He knows the areas he goes to perfectly and gives very good recommendations to return there on your own.
(Original) Santi és un dels millors guies que he conegut, he fet amb ell el curs d'escalada esportiva, el de via llarga i també he anat un parell de dies a fer esportiva. Sempre ha segut molt amable i amistós, les explicacions que dona son clares i molt útils. Coneix perfectament les zones on va i dona molt bones recomanacions per tornar-hi pel teu compte.

– Lluís Blasco