It's too expensive, I already know it all, my friends can teach me, or I'm too old. We've heard every excuse. Here are the most common ones — and why you're wrong.
Hiring a climbing guide isn't something most people planning to start climbing ever consider. It doesn't cross the minds of those who've been climbing for years, either — the ones who think they already know it all and that no one can teach them anything new. In countries like France or the United States, mountain and climbing guides are highly respected, and they're never short of clients. There's a deep-rooted culture of trusting a guide to get started in any mountain discipline, or even for multi-day hiking and trekking. The excuses you've heard — or made yourself — for not hiring a climbing guide are common to almost everyone.
Here are the five most common excuses, and why you're wrong:
Is it really expensive? For the price of a dinner out or some impulse buy online, you can enjoy a first taste of rock climbing or a beginner sport climbing course. Beyond learning and unwinding in the mountains, you'll widen your circle of friends and meet new people to share outdoor adventures with.
Here's one example. You've been sport climbing for years and occasionally do a multi-pitch route. Do you know how to build a proper anchor? How do you manage the ropes? Are you sure your protection is placed correctly? What if you or your climbing partner gets injured on the wall? Do you know basic self-rescue maneuvers? We'll stop there.
Maybe your partner or a friend is a climbing guide — lucky you. Chances are you'll learn everything you need and become an exemplary climber. But what if that's not the case? Who taught you, for example, to properly lower off a sport route? Are you sure you're doing it right? We're tired of seeing careless mistakes on every outing we run to busy climbing areas. Basic techniques, like belaying your partner with an assisted-braking device, get done wrong again and again.
Overconfidence and a low perceived sense of risk are among the most common factors behind climbing accidents. A refresher never hurts. Do you know the latest techniques for belaying a leader or a second? How to correctly clip a quickdraw into an anchor? Or simply what new gear is available that could make your outings safer?
Climbing is a sport for everyone, at any age. Everyone can find their own challenge in the mountains, one that fits their abilities. With a climbing guide alongside you, they'll know how to recommend where to start and which route best matches your fitness level and strengths. Not in shape? It's never too late to start exercising and living a healthier life.
Text: Ivan Torres.
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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(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
(Translated by Google) We did the Sport Climbing course with Mariano, between Montserrat and Gelida. The course was very interesting, Mariano's treatment was great. Not only did he teach us the necessary maneuvers, but he gave us an extra dose of motivation to keep climbing and learning.
(Original) Vam fer el curs d'Escalada Esportiva amb en Mariano, entre Montserrat i Gelida. El curs va ser molt interessant, el tracte d'en Mariano ha estat genial. No només ens va ensenyar les maniobres necessàries, sinó que ens va donar una dosi extra de motivació per seguir escalant i aprenent.
(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!!!!
Excellent day, great spots for climbing, safe and clear instructions. The views were incredible over the valley.
(Translated by Google) An incredible experience! Many thanks to the SouthClimb team and especially Santi, for a magnificent day of climbing! We will repeat for sure.
(Original) Una experiencia increíble! Muchas gracias al equipo de SouthClimb y en especial a Santi, por una magnífica jornada de escalada! Repetiremos seguro.
Santi cared about my overall experience in Spain as much as providing me a great climbing experience. Since I am an experienced climber, Santi encouraged me to climb hard at the same time as keeping safety top of mind. You cannot ask for a better guide.
(Translated by Google) A beautiful day, the Montserrat area spectacular for climbing, Santi super nice and professional! Thank you for this beautiful day. I hope to be able to repeat soon.
(Original) Un día precioso, la área de Montserrat espectacular para escalar, Santi súper agradable y profesional! Gracias por este día tan bonito. Espero poder repetir pronto.
(Translated by Google) This has been an incredible experience. From the beginning, the instructor gave me confidence and security both in the explanations that were very clear, and then when practicing climbing. You end up feeling like you've been climbing for a long time, even if it's your first time. We will repeat.
(Original) Ha esta una experiència increíble. Des del principi el monitor m'ha trasmès confianza i seguretat tant en les explicacions que han estat molt clares, com desprès a l'hora de practicar l'escalada. Acabes amb la sensació de que portes molt de temps fent escalada, encara que sigui la primera vegada que ho fas. Repetirem.
(Translated by Google) Our experience has been very good, we enrolled our son in an initiation course, especially to see how he was climbing, since he did it on his own; Excellent treatment with Santi, very professional, good communication and above all, he has given us security about the evolution of our son, he has evaluated the security and protocols part and has given us peace of mind, without a doubt, we will repeat! highly recommended!!
(Original) Nuestra experiencia ha sido muy buena, apuntamos a nuestro hijo a uncurso de iniciación, sobre todo para ver cómo estaba escalando, ya que lo hacía por su cuenta; el trato con Santi excelente, muy profesional, buena comunicación y sobre todo, nos ha dado seguridad sobre la evolución de nuestro hijo, ha evaluado la parte de seguridad y protocolos y nos ha dado tranquilidad, sin duda, repetiremos! muy recomendable!!
This was, without a doubt, an incredible climbing experience - and all because we hired Santi of SouthClimb in Barcelona. He was kind, helpful, considerate, knowledgeable, encouraging, and made this an awesome day of multi-pitch climbing at Montserrat. Highly highly highly recommend him!!!!👍🤗🤩
