Advanced Scrambling Course - Spain
The Advanced Scrambling and Mountain Adventures course covers aspects of scrambling, mountain skills and rock climbing and steal modules from all three disciplines, because hard scrambles and via ferrata routes demand good all-round mountaineering skills.
The purpose of this course is to provide participants with the technical skills and knowledge to tackle adventurous routes in the mountains via classic scrambling/easy rock climbing routes and know how to safeguard themselves using a variety of rope techniques on harder scrambles.
We will concentrate on helping you to move safely and confidently over rocky terrain, gradually building up the seriousness of the days and the routes to correspond with your growing technical ability.
The course will normally try to cover:
- Route choice, route finding and navigation. Choosing the right line for the conditions - will it be windy, then maybe stay away from exposed ridges, if the weather been wet then maybe stay away from gullies, if there is low lying clag then make sure you have the tools to get back down.
- How to travel light and fast. The course will cover what to take on the longer routes such as lightweight equipment and gear choice plus what to eat and drink.
- Climbing equipment - choosing the perfect rack.
- When to use a rope, how to use the rope and moving between soloing, short roping and pitching sections of a route.
- Belaying (Classic, Italian Hitch + belay devices), direct and indirect belays and anchor selection
- Running belays, moving together, short roping.
- Protecting and encouraging less experienced or nervous partners on easier ground.
- Abseiling techniques using a minimum of equipment and reversing routes to easier territory
- Mountain weather - a knowledge of the local weather patterns allows you to choose and time routes so that you get the best conditions.
- Emergencys and how to cope - equipment and procedures
We will always try to make the course as realistic as possible and help you to become independant. We will try to give you the skills and confidence to lead your own scrambles.
The dates, venues and duration of all our climbing and scrambling instruction is by arrangement and totally customisable. Simply call or email and we'll try to help create a great scrambling holiday for you.
We can provide self-catering accommodation for you either at our base in the village of Villanueva del Rosario or at a suitable local venue.
Via Ferrata - El Torcal - Antequera
The natural park of El Torcal lies close to Antequera in the southern Spanish province of Andalucía. In addition to the extensive climbing and walking in the park the local climbers have added two Via Ferrata routes that provide an amazing and adventurous route through the towers – there is even an adrenaline fuelled Tyrolean traverse between two of the towers.
We can guide you along these routes whilst also providing all the technical equipment so that you climb them in safety. The two routes can be done singly in about 4 hours each or can be connected together in a natural loop that provides a full day of fun.
The park contains some of the best karst landscape in Europe with the characteristic, water eroded limestone towers sitting impressively above the village of Villanueva of the Conception. This wonderland of rock is a natural, chaotic labyrinth and a perfect playground for walkers, scramblers and climbers. It is a great place for scrambling and practicing moving over steep, rocky ground.
There are 3 walking routes in the park that have been marked out with different coloured way points. The green route is the shortest and easiest being 1.5 km long and taking about 30 minutes. The yellow route is longer at 2.5 km. long and leads to ‘Las Ventanillas’ (The Windows) a panoramic high point with fantastic views. The red route is the longest (4.5km) and most difficult and takes about three hours, with a viewing point 1.339 m up where you can see the whole of the El Torcal Park and the Africa Coastline.
The park itself is part of a massive arc of limestone rock that sweeps parallel to the Andalucian coast. The massif that contains El Torcal is part of the southern edge of Sierras Subbéticas and this joins the Sierra de las Chimeneas in the west and the Sierra de las Cabras to the east. It is this chain of limestone massif that make Andalucia such a good natural playground for outdoor sports all year round.
El Torcal itself concentrates a lot into its 11.7 square km with the central rocky ridge, of Las Vilaneras splitting Torcal Alto from Torcal Bajo. The ridge summit lies at 1336m and is often a cool escape from the heat of the plains in Summer.
The park is also famous for its fauna and flora and was declared a Special Area for the Protection of Birds. Species present in El Torcal include the Griffon vulture, Kestrels, Collalbas and Mochuelo. The wild goats are shy, but ever present and show amazing climbing skills.
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Advanced Scrambling in Spain - Prices
Type of Course |
Length of Course |
Instructor - Climber Ratio |
Cost per group |
Cost per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Learn to Scramble in Spain | 1 Day Scrambling Course |
1:1 |
160 Euros |
160 Euros |
1:2 |
180 Euros |
90 Euros |
||
2 Day Scrambling Course |
1:1 |
320 Euros |
320 Euros |
|
1:2 |
340 Euros |
170 Euros |
||
3 Day Scrambling Course |
1:1 |
450 Euros |
450 Euros |
|
1:2 |
500 Euros |
250 Euros |
||
4 Day Scrambling Course |
1:1 |
580 Euros |
580 Euros |
|
1:2 |
650 Euros |
325 Euros |
The full terms and conditions are on the booking page
Equipment provided by the Rock Climbing Company: We will provide all technical equipment needed for this scrambling course including ropes, climbing equipment plus a helmet and harness for each client.
We have an extensive rack of climbing equipment that you are welcome to use so that you can decide what you prefer. This includes a variety of ropes in different lengths and diameters so that you can find the rope system that suits you best.
What you need to provide: The weather in Spain can vary enormously and so it is wise to bring a full range of clothing - we are based at a height of 700m and most of the mountains are a lot higher than this so the area can be chilly in the shade when it is baking on the coast. We would recommend bringing pretty much the same kit as you would use in the UK (windproof, wicking/thermal top, mid layer plus a full set of waterproofs), but also add in some sun protection such as long sleeve shirt, sunglasses and sun cream.
It is best if your footwear is rated at either 3 - 4 season with stiff soles or specific scrambling boots. You can normally get away with stiff approach shoes in Spain because it is a dry environment. The stiff soles on all these types of footwear makes standing on small rock edges much easier and more secure.
You will also need a rucksack (30 - 40 litre capacity) and food and drink for the day.
What is not included: Prices do not include, transport, accommodation, meals or personal insurance.
Ratios and course sizes: The Advanced Scrambling course is best taught at a ratio of 1 to 2 clients to 1 instructor.
The full terms and conditions are on the booking page