Let’s go rock climbing under the Spanish sun!
PLACES FULL!
Crag Express is a series of trips that take you to explore exciting crags all over Europe. The trip is perfect for both beginners and advanced climbers, for those who enjoy both sport and trad routes. All that matters is the will to climb and the ability to belay.
Crag Express packs up the ropes, helmets and express once again and takes you to explore the sunny Spanish crags of El Chorro, near the city of Malaga. This area, not far from the Mediterranean Sea, is also one of the most famous climbing spots in Spain and continental Europe.
Within a short walk from the accommodation there are hundreds (even thousands) of sport and trad trails of varying difficulty levels for both beginners and advanced, as well as the opportunity to experience multi-pitch The beauty and pain of the trails. For more information about the trails in the area, visit The Crag website (example of one section of trails) HERE).
We will spend a total of 5 full days in El Chorro (+ half a day upon arrival at the destination). During this time, we plan to climb rocks, hike, climb via ferratas - those who want to, will climb all days from morning to evening; those who want to, will do other activities in between. In the middle of the trip, we plan to have a collective rest day and take the train to Alora. There is an opportunity to visit the famous “king's footpath” Caminito Del Rey, which runs along the rocks.
About the region
El Chorro is a climber's paradise, offering something for everyone thanks to its diverse routes. Located just 50 km inland from Malaga, El Chorro has become a favorite among climbers as a winter climbing destination, ideal for visiting from October to April. El Chorro has at least 800 routes of varying difficulty, most of them are sports routes. The Via Ferrata route called Caminito del Rey - a 3 km long traverse on a metal track built into a very steep rock face - has also become popular among hikers looking for an extreme experience.
NB! To come on the trip, you must be able to climb and belay at least with a safety harness.
It is not essential to have personal climbing equipment on your trip, but since ropes and expressways do not just hang on natural rock, you will need to assemble the necessary equipment for at least a couple of people. An alternative is to use group equipment, but then you have to take into account that there may be others who want to go along with you.
👉 SEE EQUIPMENT LIST HERE 👈
Overview - short & sweet
Goal: rock climbing trip to Spain, to the El Chorro cliffs
Dates: 7.-15.12.2024
Activity: rock climbing
Adventure guide: Kristen Tamm, additionally on-site supervision by assistant locomotive driver Mats Eek
Technical difficulty level: 2/5 (belaying skills required)
Physical difficulty: 1-3/5 (according to the goals you set for yourself)
Group size: max 14
Participation fee: €830
Please note: For community members discount -5% (788 €) applies
Travel cost
Price includes
Transport Tartu-Riga-Tartu
Local transport by bus and train (Malaga-El Chorro-Malaga)
Accommodation during the trip in El Chorro and Malaga
Group equipment: 5 ropes and rope bags, 80 express, pharmacy
5 via ferrata, free use of the kit during the trip
Stylish Elamus+ sports shirts
On-site guidance as needed
Memorable photos of your climb
Price does not include
Flight tickets Riga-Malaga-Riga (approx. €200)*
Meals (in the apartments we cook together and split the costs among the group)
Insurance (travel insurance and MANDATORY sports insurance suitable for climbing)
Personal hygiene products and medications
Personal climbing equipment (can also be rented if necessary from Elamus Pluss)
Unscheduled excursions, transportation, etc. (or if you want to do something extra)
*For more information about a specific flight, please ask the train operator.
Registration for the trip
Before registering, please read travel conditions. To secure your place on the trip, a prepayment (20%) must be paid within 3 working days of receiving the confirmation and invoice by e-mail. If there are less than 30 days left until the trip, the total cost (100%) must be paid. Read more: frequently asked questions ja package tour information sheet.
Schedule
Days 1-2 (7-8.12 December): Voices on the plane
We take off from Tartu at 23.00:7.12 PM (5.45:8.12) and our plane from Riga takes off at 50:XNUMX AM (XNUMX:XNUMX). After landing, we take a XNUMX-minute ride in the minibus that has picked us up. On the way, we stop by a store where we buy a bunch of food and drinks for the days ahead.
We arrive at the village of El Chorro in the afternoon, settle into lovely cottages near the cliffs, where there is everything you need for life (including a swimming pool). The day is mainly spent resting, and in the evening enthusiasts can already do their first climbs. We have a meal together and socialize.
Days 3-8 (December 9-14.12): CLIMB!
Free plan! Everyone can choose the trails of their own level of difficulty on the nearby cliffs. If you feel like you need a day off, please do so - the hiking trails, El Chorro village and the accommodation's recreation areas are waiting for you. Nearby is via ferrata, a path that everyone can take with us via ferrata, to explore with the kits. Everyone acts according to their wishes and abilities. With those who are interested, we will walk the Caminito Del Rey “path of the kings”, which is considered one of the greatest attractions in the Malaga region.
We plan a day off for the third or fourth day, when we will take a train trip to the town of Alora.
On the evening of the 6th day, we take the familiar route back to Malaga, this time by train. In Malaga, we take our things to our accommodation, a guest apartment, and rest before the next morning's return flight. In the evening, you can do some sightseeing in Malaga and enjoy the local culture, food, and drinks.
Day 9 (15.12): Return flight into the cold
The plane takes off from Malaga to Riga at 10.00:19.00, so we have to be at the airport in the morning. We will be back in the neighboring country in the afternoon and in Tartu around XNUMX:XNUMX.
NB! The schedule and planned activities may be subject to minor (or major) changes — for example, due to weather and conditions or passenger requests.
Don't worry, let's do it!
I've never climbed natural rocks before. Can I still do it?!
If you're not unfamiliar with belaying and belaying, or at least climbing with belaying, then you definitely can! Rock climbing is not much different from climbing on interior walls, the only difference is that instead of a predetermined path consisting of colorful blocks, you have to find a suitable rock curve for yourself by feeling it out with your hands.
I really want to come on the trip, but I don't know how to do this security stuff. Can I still come?
However, it is necessary to learn how to belay in order to be able to climb rocks. If you don't know how to do it yet, you can take our one-day belay training courses, which we will announce soon. You can also take one from us in Tartu. private training take.
But I don't have any personal climbing equipment. Where can I get it and what kind is suitable?
You can rent or buy climbing equipment. When renting or borrowing, keep a critical mind. The lifespan of climbing equipment is 8-10 years. If you find used old equipment somewhere, it is worth remembering that your own life depends on it. If things seem to be in good condition, renting can really save you some money by bringing it with you for one trip. The equipment rented by Elamusplus is safe and has already been inspected by the locomotives, so there is no reason to worry when renting from us.
It is wise to definitely try on the equipment when buying. A climbing harness and slippers should be comfortable. When buying a rope, it is worth choosing a dynamic rope that is 50-70 m long, weatherproof and of suitable thickness. The thicker the rope, the more difficult it is to climb with it. At the same time, a thicker rope has a longer lifespan. If you are a confident climber and are missing a few things that you need advice on when buying, feel free to ask the tour guide for advice.
Read more also frequently asked questions.
Travel documents and footnotes
The participant is responsible for the validity and condition of their travel documents. For this trip you will need:
ID card/passport;
sports insurance suitable for climbing (read more on the FAQ page). A suitable sports insurance policy must be carried and is a prerequisite for participation in the trip;
travel insurance.
Plan your trip early and start training for it. If you haven't encountered rock climbing before, now is the right time to familiarize yourself with the terms: eight-knot, express, station, backstep and belay device. It would be a shame if you couldn't come along just because you don't have belaying skills. If necessary, we can arrange some private training to reinforce safety techniques when climbing a big wall. Read more FROM HERE. ;)
Although at the end of the day everyone is still responsible for their own actions and consequences, we do our best to mitigate the risks associated with climbing. As a result, the group leader has the right to make ongoing decisions about the competence of the participants, the suitability of their equipment, physical fitness, etc., and, if necessary, prohibit access to certain routes if it endangers the health of the group or the participant themselves. Hopefully, of course, there will be no need for this.
Read also travel conditions.
Contact
On-site tutoring: Mats Eek