Rock Climbing Courses in Spain

Our base is the small village of Villanueva del Rosario, which is set amongst rolling olive fields in the hills 30km north of Malaga. It is a surprisingly temperate region that allows climbing virtually all year round; when it's hot then we head into the hills and when it is colder or rain threatens we can head towards lower ground or the coast.

All you have to do is bring your rock shoes!  All other equipment can be provided including ropes, rack, harnesses and helmets, leaving you with no excess baggage worries.

The courses are provided and run by Silvia Fitzpatrick of The Rock Climbing Company.

Beginners Course

This course is designed to help you make the first steps in the sport and give those with little or no experience of climbing an opportunity to learn to climb in one the best and most varied climbing areas in Spain.
Key points covered are:

• Mountain/crag safety and objective dangers.
• Climbing terminology: Understanding the guides, other climbers and your partner.
• Choosing equipment so that you know what is suitable if you need to buy your own kit in the future.
• How the equipment works together to form a safety system.
• Rope work and knots. How to manage the rope and how to tie the main knots used by climbers; the figure of eight knot, double fisherman, prusik and the clove hitch.
• Top roping / bottom roping systems. The most common rope systems used by those starting out.
• Belaying Techniques. How two climbers use the equipment and work as a team to ensure each others safety.
• Movement and technique. How to move over rock efficiently so that you stay in control and save energy.
• Abseiling and choice of safe descents from climbs. Reaching the top is only half the story and many mishaps happen as people relax on the descent.
• First steps towards lead climbing and setting up safe belays.
• Basic Problem Solving.

Improvers Course

This course is targeted at those who already have climbing experience and wish to move on to more advanced skills and can cover 3 modules with the emphasis on your personal needs and aspirations whilst still giving you an overview of all those skills.

Below is a breakdown of the 3 possible modules:

1.. Leading in sport and traditional climbing: Belaying - Rope work - Placing protection - Constructing and managing safe stances - Falling - Retreating down a crag .

2. Multi-pitch climbing: Route finding - Awareness of possible hazards - Stance organization - Belay construction - How to descend safely - Rope work on long routes - Problem solving in a multi-pitch environment.

3. Performance coaching: Identifying your weaknesses and strengths - Increasing movement range - Improving efficiency by saving energy - Overcoming psychological barriers - Tactics for on sighting and red pointing - Development of mental skills to climb at your limit.

Flight times, accommodation and the course.

You should book your flights to arrive at Malaga no earlier than 18.00 on a Sunday and departing no earlier than 20.00 on the Friday to allow a full climbing day and transfer/check in time.

The accommodation comprises of 1 attic room with 2 singles, 1 main room with a double bed and 1 room with a double sofa bed plus all self catered facilities.Your accommodation is for 5 nights, the 1st night being Sunday evening and the last being Thursday evening.

If you would like to stay on for extra days after the course the cost is 10 euro pp per night.

The climbing course runs from Monday to Friday.