El Chorro - Week of Feb 10th

Hey guys - bought a cheap ticket to Malaga on a whim so I can explore southern Spain and spend some time climbing in El Chorro. I land on Feb 7th and plan to spend a couple of days exploring Granada / getting over the jetlag before making my way to El Chorro, so my dates are sort of flexible. 

Is anyone planning to be there around that time (Feb 10-15th) and want to rope up?

For those who've gone solo before, is it tough to find partners staying at the Olive Branch?

Would it be a buzz-kill for me to not bring a rope and try to link up with someone who has one? I'm backpacking around Spain for 2 weeks and don't mind splitting the cost of a new rope if I can get 4-5 days of climbing out of it, but I really don't want to have to carry one around the rest of my trip. 

Appreciate any other beta y'all want to share!

El Chorro is packed right now and should stay busy until April. I live here and frequently need partners. Message me before you arrive.  Most climbers have rope and draws so no need to bring yours. Olive Branch has been mostly sold out for the past month and is mostly booked for the next couple so contact them ASAP to see if you can get a bed. If not, try the Finca la Campana. it is easy to find partners at both and many days there are groups which go out from both

Thanks for the heads up, Richard! You're right, Olive Branch and Finca were both pretty booked up, but I managed to snag a room at Finca from Feb 10-15th. I'm not sure which of those days I'll climb vs. rest, but I'll send you a message closer to my arrival and we can try to meet up to climb. I climb up to around 7a but I'm just there to have fun, so pretty flexible on grades. 

Hi Patrick,

I'd personally travel to Cuenca instead of El Chorro. 1 h by high speed train (AVE).

Have fun.

Wasn't Cuenca badly impacted by the recent floods? Even if the cliffs and routes weren't damaged, what about the town's infrastructure?

Michael-many of my partners climb 7a or more and I just belay them on those and sometimes toprope afterwards. I just did a 7a+ on T/R yesterday. and worked on a 6c+ today. both were fun

Patrick-the only camping is now at the Finca but Olive Branch has dorms and private rooms and Finca does too. You can 'wild camp' in the forest for free and buy showers, wifi and other services from the Olive Branch. LMK if you are coming to EC. Trains take 3 1/2 to 7 hours with at least one change but if you leave Madrid on Fri and return on sunday late or Monday early, that could be worthwhile. Most other areas won't have good weather until spring. we almost always do!

Alan Rubin wrote:

Wasn't Cuenca badly impacted by the recent floods? Even if the cliffs and routes weren't damaged, what about the town's infrastructure?

Not that bad. The climbing areas were not affected by the floods since the rivers (Huécar & Júcar) that cross the city didn't flood.

Hey Folks,

I'll be in El Chorro from 2/3-2/12, staying at the Olive Branch hostel.  I will be traveling alone and am looking for climbing partners for these dates.  I climb up to 7b/7b+ in peak season, but I am super open to climbing any and all grades and exploring the area, including multi-pitch.  I have over 10 years experience; safe and reliable.  I will have all the gear necessary (quickdraws, 80m rope) and am really excited to meet new people and climb until my arms fall off.  Direct message me or text me at 1+603.496.4926.  Salud.

Hey! I just arrived in el Chorro and I’ll be here through Friday afternoon. Anyone looking for a partner?