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.
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(Translated by Google) Bua the fear management course in climbing very very top. We all left highly motivated and with a lot of tools to continue working. Santi is a person who gives a lot of confidence and transmits absolute tranquility and affection. 100% I will do a course again!
(Original) Bua el curso de gestión del miedo en escalada muy muy top. Nos fuimos todos ultra motivados y con un montón de herramientas para seguir trabajando. Santi es una persona que da muchísima confianza y transmite una tranquilidad y cariño absolutos. 100% volveré a hacer un curso!
(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) Excellent experience
(Original)Excelente experiencia
(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) 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!
(Translated by Google) Very nice. Punctual and also aware of you at all times. I will repeat
(Original) Muy agradables. Puntuales y además pendientes de ti en todo momento. Repetiré
(Translated by Google) I have been with Santi, he is the best monitor you can have, he explains very well, he teaches perfectly and you laugh a lot with him, of course it makes you want to repeat the experience
(Original) Yo he estado con Santi és el mejor monitor que se puede tener, explica muy bien enseña perfectamente y te ríes mucho con él, desde luego que te dan ganas de repetir la experiencia
(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!!!!
(Translated by Google) We did a climbing baptism yesterday with Santi and we loved it, he was super attentive, kind and always attentive to you, he made us feel safe and enjoy ourselves a lot. I recommend it 100%.
(Original) Hicimos un bautizo de escalada ayer con Santi y nos encantó, el super atento, amable y en todo momento está pendiente de ti, hizo que nos sintiéramos seguros y disfrutáramos mucho. Lo recomiendo 100%.
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.
