Rock Guiding
Explore adventurous rock routes in new terrain
Rock Climbing trips are a fantastic way to explore new destinations and take you to places that you would otherwise potentially not go. They are also a great way to push your climbing in new directions and to gain new skills that you can take back with you.
The aim of our rock climbing trips are to provide a fun trip that caters to your ability and allows you explore a new area in a safe way, using our guiding knowledge to get the most out of the time we have. This is a personal passion of mine and I would love to be able to share it with you.
If you want to be guided on some of the classic routes and to explore the rich climbing heritage of a particular area, please get in touch.
Below are some ideas for inspiration:
French Rock
Outside of the alpine environment, France is blessed with a variety of world class rock climbing destinations that are worth making trips to. From Mediterranean sea cliffs to the big walls of the Verdon Gorge, there is plenty of adventurous multi pitch to explore.
I can offer guided rock climbing trips for those looking to sample classic climbs and are able to second up to 6a+, looking at skills and development along the way.
Below are some ideas for inspiration:
- Calanques: The limestone bays of the Calanques are one of Europe’s premier sea cliff climbing destinations and an area of outstanding beauty. With climbs of all levels and the neighbouring Cap Canaille, France’s biggest sea cliff, for the most adventurous there’s something for everyone – although a bit of stamina is required as there is a decent walk in and out most days.
- Verdon: The Verdon Gorge in Provence is a famous climbing destination worldwide. A testing ground of the 80s it both terrifies and awes people in equal measure with characteristic exposure and water droplet style limestone. A must for visit destination!
- Vercors: The Vercors is a limestone plateau south west of Grenoble that is full of amazing big limestone cliffs featuring numerous classic multi pitch outings. From the iconic Mont Aiguille, one of the birth places of alpine rock climbing, to the mini Verdon style cliffs of Presles – there are countless climbs for all levels.
- Corsica: The mountainous island of Corsica is full of rock. The col Bavella is great destination featuring tons of classic multi pitches on the famous sculpted Corsican granite but all over the island there is good climbing to be found from the inland mountains to the coast.
- Other Options: Haute Savoie Limestone, Hautes Alpes Multi-Pitch
Available: all year based depending on location
Spanish Rock
Spain is a country full of rock – it’s unsurprising it produces so many good climbers. It also has a great Mediterranean climate that lends itself well to climbing throughout the year and a wide variety of climbing styles from the Conglomerate towers of Montserrat and Riglos to the high quality Limestone of world famous sport climbing venues like Siruana and Margalef, there is something for everyone. For those looking for a hot rock trip taking in some Spanish classics, please get in contact.
Below are some ideas for inspiration:
- Costa Blanca: Despite the cities’ conotations, the area around Benidorm and Calpe is rich with climbing of a wide variety of styles. From multi pitch sea cliffs at the Sierra de Toix to alpine style ridges such as the Bernia to mini big walls such as the iconic Penon de Ifach beyond Calpe, there is a lot to explore here. In our trips here we would aim to explore many of these venues, building new skills along the way that allow us to tackle the variety of styles of climbs all while taking in the Spanish lifestyle.
- Riglos: The Conglomerate towers of Riglos are famous worldwide for their steep climbing on large potato-like holds – quite an imposing place. Situated in Aragon near the picturesque Gallego river, we spend the week in the beautiful, small village at the base of the towers, making the most of the easy approaches to get to grips with the classic routes of the area.
- Lleida: The Lleida area is blessed with a range of high quality multi-pitch venues such as Terradets, Villanova de Meia and Montrebei, many of which are adventurous and intimidating places for the uninitiated. On this trip we would aim to visit a range of these crags and sample some of the best the area has to give.
- El Chorro: The classic destination in the south of Spain, El Chorro climbing is focused around the large gorge of the same name and provides many different cragging options as well as some adventurous multi pitching from the Camino del Rey walk way that is a popular attraction in its own right. This is a great destination for those wanting to gain some new skills and sample some area classics.
Available May & October-December
Wadi Rum
Wadi Rum is a national park in the desert in the south of Jordan. It is an area that has been climbed in by adventurous rock climbers since the 80’s but has really taken off in recent years due to it’s high quality multi-pitches that are all not too far from Wadi Rum village itself. The climbing is pretty diverse and is situated on the large sandstone towers that rise up from the desert like monoliths. From alpine style scrambles to the top of the towers (originally put up by the local Bedouin) to modern style crack climbs to fully bolted face climbs, the Wadi Rum area has it all. Some unique experiences this trip can provide:
- Camping in the desert with the Bedouin being shown their way of life.
- High quality sandstone crack climbing like that found in Utah but much closer to Europe.
- Unique vistas over the desert from the large Sandstone towers we climb.
- An introduction to a completely different culture, cuisine and style of life.
If you are interested in and would like to find out more, please get in contact.
Available November-December
UK Rock
The UK has a vast plethora of rock from Scottish Sea Stacks to Lakes Mountain Crags to the Sea Cliffs of the South West and beyond. If you want to be guided on some of the classic routes and to explore the rich climbing heritage of the area, please get in touch.
Below are some ideas for inspiration:
- Scottish Sea Stacks: The iconic Old Man of Hoy is on every British climbers’ hit list and is part of a classic trilogy of Sea Stacks along with the Old Man of Stoer and Am Buachaille in the North West of Scotland. On this trip we would (weather and conditions permitting) climb all three by their classic routes and possibly take in some climbing along the Caithness coast.
- Cornwall: The rugged Cornish coastline is blessed with high quality Granite that provides wonderful climbing above the Atlantic on classic venues such as Bosigran and Chair Ladder. On this trip we would try and take in as many of the classics as possible at a range of venues.
- Scottish Highlands: Glencoe, Ben Nevis, the Cairngorms, Torridon – all these areas of the Highlands are full of great climbs and steeped in history, on this trip we would sample many of these iconic venues with the aim of climbing classic mountain rock, following where the weather is best!
- Skye: The isle of Skye is a unique venue in the UK with the iconic Cuillin mountain range running the length of the island with it’s grippy Gabbro and long mountain climbs, and the many sea cliffs that provide high quality cragging at Neist, Kilt Rock, Elgol and more. Plenty of classics to sample on a weeks trip!
- Other Options: North Wales Classics, Lakes Mountain Rock, Pembroke Sea Cliffs, Lundy, Peak District Grit, Outer Hebrides….
Available May-Mid June & Mid September-Oct
Other Destinations:
As well as the above mentioned trip possibilities, other trips that could be provided would be:
- Moroccan Anti-Atlas: (October-December): Fantastic, varied climbing on a range of rock types around the Jebel E Kest massif.
- Picos du Europa: (September-October): A unique range of limestone peaks in the North of Spain, this oft forgotten venue has some brilliant mountain rock centering around the Naranjo du Bulnes.
- Lofoten: (June-September): The magical isles of Lofoten in the far north of Norway are full of granite peaks that rise straight from the Fjord making it an amazingly scenic place to climb and ski. This trip will sample the granite classics of the area as well as some of the alpine ridges in the nearby mountains.
- Meteora: (October-November): The conglomerate, chapel mounted towers of Meteora in Greece are an otherworldly spectacle and call out to be climbed. Combined with the fantastic Greek food, culture and weather, this adventurous climbing makes for a fun trip.
If you are interested in and would like to find out more, please get in contact.
Improve your Skills
If you are interested in learning to climb or progressing your existing climbing knowledge and skills for increased independence, confidence and proficiency then we can run courses tailored to you to get you to where you want to be.
Whether that is:
- Moving from indoor climbing to the outdoors – learning to transition your inside technique to real rock and begin to learn the rope systems for increased independence.
- Wanting to learn specific skills for a particular style of climbing such as Sea Cliffs, Sport Climbing or Mountain Rock.
- Wanting to push grade – we can look at technique, tactics and skills to do this in a safe and efficient manner.
- Learning to Lead Climb.
- Improving efficiency and confidence in your climbing – we can fine tune your systems to allow you to get more out of your climbing days.
- Rescue skills for Climbers – how to deal with problems that could occur whilst out climbing.
- Refreshing skills if you have taken a break.
Ideally these days should be done 1:2 with your regular climbing partner.
