Tips for Costa Blanca Climbing
Don't stay in Calpe when just a few klicks inland there are beautiful villages offering cheap accommodation, with cafés, tapas and friendly locals, all nestled in mythical valleys belonging more to S. America than Europe. Taste Spanish culture not just their rock - you could even try a walk in the hinterland ('Chris I' reckoned it was "some of the most beautiful and spectacular trekking I've done - and the scenery woz good too" [outside Levenshulme]) Don't pre-book a car unless your flight arrives on Saturday evening, - you'll save £30+. The Rock Fax guide is excellent and gives good descriptions of how to get to even the remoter crags- though a reasonable Costa Blanca map is very useful (buy it in Spain rather the UK - more recent and half the price).
Don't just stick to Sella, Toix and Gandia - get to Ferada, Salinas, El Aventador, Puig, and according to the locals there's a really good multi-pitch crag near Polop - possibly Echo Placa. Asparagus are cheap in Spain at this time of year - so indulge yourself. SAFETY: Don't trust all the single pitch lengths, - someone, not in our group, went over the end of their rope whilst been lowered off!! You've been warned
The Labour party (New Labour to you older members) are promising to provide 95% subsidies to all British climbers visiting foreign crags, -- so you know where to put your X.
