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Sun, Sea & Spanish Rock Climbing

Sun, Sea & Spanish Rock Climbing

Towards the end of autumn as the weather deteriorated in the UK, me my wife and daughter plus 3 friends headed out to Costa Blanca for some winter sun. Costa Blanca is synonymous with rock climbing and especially for brits heading there in the winter to pursue their passion all year round.

We hired a car and stayed in a nice villa in Calpe. The place has some fantastic beaches and is only around 50 mins drive from the airport just beyond Benidorm. Its main attraction is a spire of rock known as the Penon deIfach, which you can walk up and has some adventurous climbing on also. Although Calpe is not a hotspot of British tourists, the locals were very hospitable and always friendly.

This is my first trip to Costa Blanca and so I was obviously excited. The rock climbing is known to be fantastic with excellent rock quality and easily accessible crags. True to the tales, the quality of the climbing was first-rate. We headed out on the first day late in the evening but psyched to be there. The climbing was fun and after helping a couple retrieve their stuck ropes, we topped out on the route in the dark, which made for an exciting abseil back to the ground minus headtorches.

We spent the next few days checking out different crags, trying to hit a couple each day to explore the area better set for our next trip same time next year??? Hopefully so. It was the first climbing trip I've been on with my family and made for a brilliant trip. I love exploring and taking adventures around the world but leaving my family behind always is the crux of any trip. Thankfully, they had as much fun as I did exploring the likes of the Old Town and markets in Calpe and are in agreement of doing it again. Win win I must say.

For those planning on a trip anytime soon the logistics are very easy. EasyJet and Jet2 offer cheap flights to Alicante regularly and not being during school holidays, there was some really cheap flights on offer.

A hire car is necessary if you are climbing, but do not worry. A hire car was roughly 40 Euro max for the week.

With the climbing all being well bolted, a guide book, quickdraws and belay device, rope, harness, helmet and shoes is the only climbing kit you will need, these will need to be stored in hold luggage I'd suggest or check with the airline before flying.
All in all a fantastic trip, good food, good climbing and even better company. FelizcumpleañosJenny.