[Durbs]

So me and my other half have somehow got to the arse-end of the year with a load of annual leave left.

In a use-it-or-lose-it way, was thinking of going bouldering for a week in December but wasn't sure where. I'd be keen for a week in the Peak, but of course the risk is booking the time off and then watching torrential rain streak down the windows of the B&B.

As it'll only be a week, nothing too long haul. I think Font will be too cold for t'other half (Am I right in thinking it gets properly chilly that time of year?) and as we're definitely low-grade punters, these prime conditions would probably be wasted on us.

So just up for tips for somewhere dry, with lots of rock, and if possible positive temperatures that isn't a million miles away.

[tomtom]

If its UK based, then t'county usually has reliable connies? If overseas, thought of ropes and all that and heading to Costa Blanca? Easy, cheap and lots to go at...

[ianv]

http://www.climb-europe.com/RockClimbingSpain/Tenerife.html

Good bouldering potential at Arico and Canada.

Otherwise, Targassonne will be cold but sunny (probably) and there is Eus down the valley towards Perpignan for some warmth.

[Durbs]

If its UK based, then t'county usually has reliable connies?

Er... quoi? Lost me on that one sorry!

Don't really go in for ropes, though do have all the gear and easier to travel with.

Tenerife looks interesting, off to SkyScanner I go

[tomtom]

http://www.climb-europe.com/RockClimbingSpain/Tenerife.html

Good bouldering potential at Arico and Canada.

Otherwise, Targassonne will be cold but sunny (probably) and there is Eus down the valley towards Perpignan for some warmth.

Incidentally, they have quite a good price on the m16 brush (£2.50) if you're getting a guide from them...

http://www.climb-europe.com/RockClimbingShop/Beta-M16-Bouldering-Brush.html

[sidewinder]

Incidentally, they have quite a good price on the m16 brush (£2.50) if you're getting a guide from them...

Not as good as buying from a gun shop have got them for 99p before by actually going into a shop, amazing what a premium marketing it as a bouldering brush can get.  Unfortunately not as good as Lapis(/natural bristle)/too stiff for soft rock.

[i.munro]

http://www.climb-europe.com/RockClimbingSpain/Tenerife.html

) and there is Eus down the valley towards Perpignan for some warmth.

EUS Sounds interesting but a bit … terrifying! What did you think to it?

to the OP Tinos ? might be cold, I haven't been at Christmas.

[ianv]

Never been to Eus, but I was given the impression that it was like Targassonne, only much lower altitude and smaller.

Crap video but it gives an idea of what to expect.
http://www.escalade-alsace.com/video/vimeo/view.php?vimeoid=6326431&pid=1064


http://eusbloc.over-blog.com/article-le-petit-guide-pratique-d-eus-50216293.html

[i.munro]

Thanks. Useful to know about.

[Fiend]

Thinking of a similar idea with similar specifications - except I'd like sandstone instead of granite

What are Albaraccin (sp!) and Annot like at this time of year?? Sun and dry more important than warmth...

[ianv]

What are Albaraccin (sp!) and Annot like at this time of year?? Sun and dry more important than warmth...

If you are going to get bad weather in the South, its usually November.

[Fiend]

Hmmmm. Okay. Anyone else have any ideas???

[Durbs]

Tenerife seems like a good choice weather & rock-wise, but it's a long-ish flight so may not work for a short trip...

[ianv]

Portugal maybe??

Sintra looks pretty good.

[SA Chris]

Isn't sintra granite? Looks very cool.

How about that Santa Gadea in Northern Spain. Looks very cool in Patta and Percy's articles.

http://www.scarpa.co.uk/latest-news/2012/04/05/Latest_Article_By_Scarpa_Athlete_Percy_Bishton/

http://www.rockrun.com/santa-gadea/

Guidebook, and some nice vids on yootoob

[gingerninja]

the almeria area has a bit of bouldering in a few spots, monsul beach is really nice. its also pretty dry most of the time being classed as a desert.

[i.munro]

Isn't sintra granite? Looks very cool.

How about that Santa Gadea in Northern Spain. Looks very cool in Patta and Percy's articles.

I spent a week in santa Gadea in summer & we kept saying that we should have gone to Scotland instead as the weather would have been warmer. Could have been a freak but the vegetation (very scottish) suggested not.

Some friends went to Dahab for bouldering. No idea how good it was but I guess it'd be warm.

[SA Chris]

Weather sounds ideal for fiend

[i.munro]

Weather sounds ideal for fiend

I'd imagine he gets enough Scottish weather in …errr Scotland.

[Fiend]

Damn right. That percy article place sounds a bit bleak. Sintra looks cool in the photos.

[ianv]

Roquebrune sur Argens (near Frejus, sandstone)

http://gangsofnewroc.over-blog.com/pages/Topo_Blocs_Roquebrune_83-8360811.html



No idea how good it is but it looked cool from the autoroute

[i.munro]

If you're thinking France then the crags above Monaco can be pleasantly warm when the sun comes out even at Christmas.
Daylights short though.

[cha1n]

It's worth bearing in mind that if you're on a short trip (7 days), that climbing on a smoother rock type would be best. I spent a month in Targasonne before coming here (La Pedriza) and it is incredibly sunny there (there's actually a couple of solar power stations there because of it) but I'd imagine that your skin would be wrecked within a day or so.

Albarracin could be a good bet. Again, it's really warm in the sun here but cold at night, but that isn't a problem if you're staying in an apartment or something, it's freezing for us in the van though.

[cha1n]

Another positive of Albarracin is that the bulk of the grades are 6A-6C (IIRC). There's also a free online topo at http://norop.es/albarracin, so no need a buy a guide, just print of a bunch of pages.