Costa Vertical – The outdoor specialist for rock climbing, walking and more in Spain's Costa Blanca
As a rock climber you’ll always remember your first steps outdoors. So does our friend and supporter Katja Rudolph who describes her first climbing adventure with us on her blog “Travel and Life“. Enjoy reading her article “Rock Climbing at Costa Blanca with Costa Vertical“. Thanks to Katja for the great article and we’re sorry that we can’t provide it in English.
Chulilla seen from the opposite side of the gorge.
This weekend the Costa Vertical team and friends took a trip up north to Chulilla. It is located about an hour inland from Valencia along the CV-35, and 2.5 hours from Finestrat.
One of the bridges that cross the Rio Turia
The first day there we took a walk from the Dam down through the gorge to the village to get a feel for the area. The gorge is impressive with towering walls on both sides up to 80m above a meandering river that runs through the bottom. There is a very well way-marked path through the gorge to the village, this crosses the river a number of times via bridges. This path was originally used by the villagers to get to the dam to work on its construction. Continue Reading →
Cabezón is an area that is fast becoming a favorite of the “Costa Vertical Team”. There is a great variety of activities that can be enjoyed there. On this trip we decide to sample the delights of its two main ridges “Cresta de les Coves” and “Cresta las Jotas”. These two ridges can be done independently or linked together for an exciting full day trip.
“Cresta de les Coves.
Looking along the Cresta de Los Coves from the start.
After an early start we arrived at the parking which is below the visitor center for the Coves de Canelobre, and walked up to and through the center car park. There is a path that leaves at the far end of the car park and drops down for 500m to the start of the ridge. Access to the ridge is a simple short scramble with no need for a rope. The ridge is easy to follow as there is no deviation from it and no need to by pass any difficulties. Continue Reading →
Sella’s newly bolted area of “La Moleta” currently consists of the following sectors “New Year’s Day”, “Bear”, “Doggy Guantanamo”, “Trad Buttress” and “Solo Sunrise”. All sectors offer great climbing on pristine limestone and splendid views towards “Puig Campana”, the “Castellets Ridge”, the walls of “Rosalia” and “Tafarmach” and the village of Sella. Bolts were sponsored by the “Orange House Bolt Fund” and by everybody who is mentioned on the following pages. If you find a loose hanger or any other fault with the fixed gear when climbing the routes, please, get in touch with us and we will correct it. In our current mini-guide (Download) we cover the sectors “Bear” and “Doggy Guantanamo”, but you could get further information on the other routes which will be published soon just contact us. It’s definitely worth to spend a day and if you are in good luck a brew will delivered to you while climbing!
“Diedros Mágicos”, 6a (E1)
Keeping a promise I made to myself this season, I set off for the Puig Campana with Craig Naylor to climb a route on this awesome mountain. I have always wondered why I drive all over the Costa Blanca climbing, when this great venue is on my door step. This was to be my third route on the mountain, and we had selected “Diedros Mágicos”, 6a (E1).
The route is Continue Reading →
1. 6c, 2. 6a, 3. 6b+, 4. 6b, 5. 7a, 6. 6c, 7. 6a, 8. 6a
This is one of the three new sector beyond sector “Final” at La Moleta in the Sella valley. It is possible to drive up to the yellow house at the top of the hill and parking is available, alternatively it is a short walk up the hill.
We’ve already released the topo for sector “Doggie Guantanamo” which you could download here. There is one further sector directly behind sector “Final” with grades from 4+ to 6a. We will post this topo soon, however Continue Reading →
Last week’s multi-pitch adventure led us to “Cabezon de Oro” near Busot where we climbed the route “Espolón Paiju”, 5+ (HVS), 7 pitches. The crux pitch is a 35 meter traverse graded 5+ / A1 – free 6b. It’s an awesome, but exposed pitch which keeps the adventure for both – leader and second.
Today we finally release our new topo for sector “Doggy Guantanamo” in Sella. It’s written in English, German and Spanish. The topo is available for download here.
