Adventure Travel

Spain: Climbing, Canyoning, & Coasteering

September 1-9, 2018

More Information https://www.cmc.org/AdventureTravel/AdventureTravelTrips/SpainAdventure.aspx

Trip Summary: • 2.5 days of rock climbing • 1.5 days of canyoning • 2 x 0.5 days of via ferrata • 2 days of coasteering

Prerequisites: No previous experience necessary. For Coasteering you must be able to swim.

Day 0: Fly to Valencia Airport (VLC)

Day 1 – September 1: Arrive Valencia, transfer to Costa Blanca, possible via ferrata based on time availability

Day 2 – September 2: Rock Climbing

Day 3 – September 3: Canyoning

Day 4 – September 4: Coasteering

Day 5 – September 5: Via Ferrata + Rock Climbing

Day 6 – September 6: Rock Climbing

Day 7 – September 7: Via Ferrata + Canyoning

Day 8 – September 8: Coasteering

Day 9: - September 9: Optional via ferrata. Departing flights from Valencia (VLC)

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Day 0: Fly to Valencia, Spain (VLC - Valencia Airport)

Day 1: Arrive Valencia, transfer to Costa Blanca

Description: Meet and greet at Valencia Airport (VLC). Transfer to the Costa Blanca in rental van. From Valencia we will drive 1.5-2hr south where we will check-in at our bungalows on the Costa Blanca. Depending on what time the flight arrives we may be able to squeeze in a via ferrata on our way to the Costa Blanca.

Difficulty of Via Ferrata:

Lunch: On your own. We will stop to buy food and snacks. Dinner: Welcome dinner included at local restaurant with local Valencian food. Sleep: Included at bungalows on the northern Costa Blanca (2-4 people per bungalow).

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Day 2: Rock Climbing

Description: We spend today rock climbing on some of the finest limestone in Spain. The crag is a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean Sea. Unobstructed views south reveal the incredible coastline and the massive limestone walls and mountains just inland. Bolted routes for sport and top roping will keep us busy here all day. There are options for multi-pitch routes too. Difficulty: Routes from 5.3 - 5.13.

Breakfast: On your own. Lunch: On your own. Pack a lunch to eat at the crag. Dinner: On your own. There are several restaurants along the seaside boardwalk. Sleep: Included at bungalows on the northern Costa Blanca (2-4 people per bungalow).

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Day 3: Canyoning

Description: In the rugged coastal mountains there are numerous well-equipped canyons to explore. Today we will descend probably the most famous canyon in the region. In the late summer and early autumn the canyon is usually dry but it almost always has some large puddles and potholes full of water. They are usually avoidable but sometimes we might get wet wading through them. We will spend a full day in the area descending this canyon and exploring the surrounding area. Difficulty:

Breakfast: On your own. Lunch: On your own. Pack a lunch to eat during the activity. Dinner: On your own. There are several restaurants along the seaside boardwalk. Sleep: Included at bungalows on the northern Costa Blanca (2-4 people per bungalow).

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Day 4: Coasteering

Description: Coasteering is a multi-activity adventure along the rocky coastline. It includes hiking, scrambling, swimming, cliff jumping, and deep water soloing. The rocky coastline is perfect for all of these activities and swimming in the warm turquoise water of the Mediterranean Sea in the summer is refreshing, exciting, and relaxing all at the same time! There are various caves and tunnels along the coastline that most people don’t even know exist. It’s all about exploring and adventure. We will venture into some amazing hidden gems along the coast. In summer and fall the sea is warm and calm. There are no big waves, tides, or rip currents so swimming along the coast is relatively simple and safe. Bring your bathing suit and sunscreen, no need for wetsuits. For lunch we will stop at the beach bar and have a freshly prepared paella. Breakfast: On your own. Lunch: On your own. Paella on the beach at the beach bar! Paella originates in Valencia and is a quintessential Spanish dish so you’re in for an authentic treat on the Mediterranean. Dinner: On your own. There are several restaurants along the seaside boardwalk. Sleep: Included at bungalows on the northern Costa Blanca (2-4 people per bungalow). 6

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Day 5: Via Ferrata + Rock Climbing

Description: Via ferrata: This morning we will combine two adjacent via ferratas to make a fun and interesting ascent. There is a little bit of everything on these ferratas including vertical sections, traverses, a rappel, and three bridges. Technically and physically they are straightforward but with a few challenging sections making for a fun day with great views over the inland valley. Climbing: This afternoon we’ll climb at a wonderful crag with lots of bolted single-pitch routes on fine gray limestone pinnacles. Amazingly featured limestone is the name of the game today.

Difficulty: Via Ferrata: Climbing: Routes from 5.5 – 5.12

Breakfast: On your own. Lunch: On your own. Pack a lunch to eat at the crag. Dinner: Included at local restaurant with local Valencian food. Sleep: Included at bungalows on the southern Costa Blanca (2-4 people per bungalow).

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Day 6: Rock Climbing

Description: In this area there are hanging houses and historical buildings above the limestone walls. Could there be climbing on those walls? You bet there is and that’s where we will be climbing today. We will spend the day sport climbing and top roping those amazing gray and orange limestone walls. Most of this area is made up of single pitch sport climbing but there are options for multi-pitch (2-3 pitches) bolted climbing. Difficulty: Routes from 5.3 - 5.13.

Breakfast: On your own. Lunch: On your own. Pack a lunch to eat at the crag. Dinner: On your own. There are several restaurants along the seaside boardwalk. Sleep: Included at bungalows on the southern Costa Blanca (2-4 people per bungalow).

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Day 7: Via Ferrata and Canyoning

Description: Today’s via ferrata scales one of the massive limestone walls in this area. It is an intermediate level ferrata but the exposure beefs up the psychological factor. At the top we walk off before arriving at two consecutive 100ft rappels that drop us near the beginning of the ferrata. Then we follow the approach trail back to the parking. Once at the parking, we switch our via ferrata gear for canyoning gear and take another trail from the parking to reach and then descend a very fun dry canyon. Incredible views of the coast accompany us all day.

Difficulty: Via Ferrata: Canyoning:

Breakfast: On your own. Lunch: On your own. Pack a lunch to eat during the activity. Dinner: On your own. There are several restaurants along the seaside boardwalk. Sleep: Included at bungalows on the southern Costa Blanca (2-4 people per bungalow).

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Day 8: Coasteering

Description: We finish off the trip in style. Today we will visit another rocky coastal area for some more coasteering. Lots of deep water soloing, cliff jumping, swimming, and fun is on tap here. You have one final chance today to soak in the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea before returning home.

Breakfast: On your own. Lunch: On your own. Pack a lunch to eat during the activity. Dinner: Farewell dinner included at local restaurant with local Valencian food. Sleep: Included at bungalows on the southern Costa Blanca (2-4 people per bungalow).

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Day 9: End of Trip; Fly out of Valencia (VLC) or continue trip Drive to Valencia Airport for departing flights. We have the possibility of doing another via ferrata depending on time.

Difficulty of Via Ferrata:

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