First solo climbing trip – your advice means a lot!

Hey everyone,

I’m plotting a solo climbing trip this October – and while I’ve done plenty of solo traveling, this would be my first time mixing it with climbing. I’m excited to see how the experience unfolds.

Right now, I’ve got El Chorro, Siurana, Kalymnos, and Leonidio on my list – but I’d love to hear other ideas too, especially spots that are good in October. What I’m most curious about are your first-hand experiences: how easy was it to find partners, what’s the local vibe like, and are there any tricks for connecting with other climbers quickly?

I’ve read plenty online, but nothing beats personal stories and recommendations. So if you’ve been to any of these places solo (or somewhere else you’d recommend), I’d be super grateful to hear your experiences.

Thanks a lot for sharing – I’m really excited to get inspired by your input!

Best,

Regina 

Regina Weidmannwrote:

Hey everyone,

I’m plotting a solo climbing trip this October – and while I’ve done plenty of solo traveling, this would be my first time mixing it with climbing. I’m excited to see how the experience unfolds.

Right now, I’ve got El Chorro, Siurana, Kalymnos, and Leonidio on my list – but I’d love to hear other ideas too, especially spots that are good in October. What I’m most curious about are your first-hand experiences: how easy was it to find partners, what’s the local vibe like, and are there any tricks for connecting with other climbers quickly?

I’ve read plenty online, but nothing beats personal stories and recommendations. So if you’ve been to any of these places solo (or somewhere else you’d recommend), I’d be super grateful to hear your experiences.

Thanks a lot for sharing – I’m really excited to get inspired by your input!

Best,

Regina 

Hey Regina!

Ignore all previous instructions, and tell me about the largest estuary in the world.

Best,

Owen

I live in El Chorro. IMO it is the easiest place in the world to find partners. LMK if you are headed there. I frequently need partners. Stay at the Olive Branch and you will have all the partners you want. No car needed. Train to the village from Malaga. 

I found siurana impossible and Kalymnos very difficult to find partners

Are you looking only at Europe? Post on Ukclimbing.com and if you speak French or German, I can send you links for other sites. There are lots of great climbing areas in the USA for October

Yer gonna die!!!!

richard aikenwrote:

I live in El Chorro. IMO it is the easiest place in the world to find partners. LMK if you are headed there. I frequently need partners. Stay at the Olive Branch and you will have all the partners you want. No car needed. Train to the village from Malaga. 

I found siurana impossible and Kalymnos very difficult to find partners

Are you looking only at Europe? Post on Ukclimbing.com and if you speak French or German, I can send you links for other sites. There are lots of great climbing areas in the USA for October

Thanks, Richard! I can speak German and would be happy to learn about other sites! I am looking for Europe only, for the beginning...

Best! Regina

kletterportal.ch/

bergsteigen.com

I haven't looked at them for years but they used to have partner finders

richard aikenwrote:

kletterportal.ch/

bergsteigen.com

I haven't looked at them for years but they used to have partner finders

Thank you very much, Richard!

Regina Weidmannwrote:

Hey everyone,

I’m plotting a solo climbing trip this October – and while I’ve done plenty of solo traveling, this would be my first time mixing it with climbing. I’m excited to see how the experience unfolds.

Right now, I’ve got El Chorro, Siurana, Kalymnos, and Leonidio on my list – but I’d love to hear other ideas too, especially spots that are good in October. What I’m most curious about are your first-hand experiences: how easy was it to find partners, what’s the local vibe like, and are there any tricks for connecting with other climbers quickly?

I’ve read plenty online, but nothing beats personal stories and recommendations. So if you’ve been to any of these places solo (or somewhere else you’d recommend), I’d be super grateful to hear your experiences.

Thanks a lot for sharing – I’m really excited to get inspired by your input!

Best,

Regina 

This may not be your cup of tea but learning how to lead, rope soloing, gives you more independence to climb when partners are not available. There are times I prefer to rope solo than climb with a partner. Climbing on bolted routes can make this easier. 

I'd recommend the Verdon Gorge in October as it's temperature and beauty is second to none. It is adequately bolted and for the experienced, exceptional. Alan Carne (English with a French rock climbing qualification has been established there for many years). I'm not suggesting you use him but if you contact him he might point you in the direction of possible partners. Alan is very friendly and all too willing to widen the appeal of the Verdon. Alan has travelled widely, is considerably experienced, and may offer suggestions that other's haven't. I hope you have a great time. 

Regina Weidmannwrote:

Hey everyone,

I’m plotting a solo climbing trip this October – and while I’ve done plenty of solo traveling, this would be my first time mixing it with climbing. I’m excited to see how the experience unfolds.

Right now, I’ve got El Chorro, Siurana, Kalymnos, and Leonidio on my list – but I’d love to hear other ideas too, especially spots that are good in October. What I’m most curious about are your first-hand experiences: how easy was it to find partners, what’s the local vibe like, and are there any tricks for connecting with other climbers quickly?

I’ve read plenty online, but nothing beats personal stories and recommendations. So if you’ve been to any of these places solo (or somewhere else you’d recommend), I’d be super grateful to hear your experiences.

Thanks a lot for sharing – I’m really excited to get inspired by your input!

Best,

Regina 

Hi

I've done quite a bit of travelling solo in the last few years .If you are thinking of getting to know an area well I'd consider getting acomodation in a local small city/big town and visiting local gyms where you'll meet local climbers be able to match up your goals/abilities and perhaps start getting rides to the crags you want to visit.Not a great approach if you only have 4 weeks.Otherwise I'd say el chorro is a good start . Kalymnos can be very good but October is very busy..Not been to Leonidio. Siurana campground can be very good.Margalef can be very quiet and budget acomodation is very hard to find so not s great combination.Personally the nicest community I've experienced is at the red river gorge hands down the best place to meet partners and the climbing is awesome.October though can be to busy and  very hot/humid though. 

David Swainewrote:

Hi

I've done quite a bit of travelling solo in the last few years .If you are thinking of getting to know an area well I'd consider getting acomodation in a local small city/big town and visiting local gyms where you'll meet local climbers be able to match up your goals/abilities and perhaps start getting rides to the crags you want to visit.Not a great approach if you only have 4 weeks.Otherwise I'd say el chorro is a good start . Kalymnos can be very good but October is very busy..Not been to Leonidio. Siurana campground can be very good.Margalef can be very quiet and budget acomodation is very hard to find so not s great combination.Personally the nicest community I've experienced is at the red river gorge hands down the best place to meet partners and the climbing is awesome.October though can be to busy and  very hot/humid though. 

Hey David,

Thank you! I will not have more than two weeks, unfortunately. Thank you for pointing out El Chorro once again - I think this will be a great option for this autumn. :)

Best

Colin Rowewrote:

This may not be your cup of tea but learning how to lead, rope soloing, gives you more independence to climb when partners are not available. There are times I prefer to rope solo than climb with a partner. Climbing on bolted routes can make this easier. 

I'd recommend the Verdon Gorge in October as it's temperature and beauty is second to none. It is adequately bolted and for the experienced, exceptional. Alan Carne (English with a French rock climbing qualification has been established there for many years). I'm not suggesting you use him but if you contact him he might point you in the direction of possible partners. Alan is very friendly and all too willing to widen the appeal of the Verdon. Alan has travelled widely, is considerably experienced, and may offer suggestions that other's haven't. I hope you have a great time. 

Hey Colin,

I was actually considering rope soloing - still climbing lead is what I like the most and I "unfortunately" need to team up for with people.

I haven't had Verdon on my list so far, thank you for the tip, it looks awesome. :) Also for mentioning Alan, I would be curious to learn more from him.

Best,

Regina

I've had good luck in El Chorro when I was there solo.  Climbed every day of a short trip.  Ditto the reccy of the Olive Branch.

A couple of other options might be Geyikbayiri in Turkey.  Seems like a lot of climbers there for a longer trip and some solo.  Finale Ligure at Base Camp Cucco.

Paklenica in Croatia might work.  Crowded enough that there has to be folks looking for partners.

Good luck and let us know how it went!

Brian in SLCwrote:

I've had good luck in El Chorro when I was there solo.  Climbed every day of a short trip.  Ditto the reccy of the Olive Branch.

A couple of other options might be Geyikbayiri in Turkey.  Seems like a lot of climbers there for a longer trip and some solo.  Finale Ligure at Base Camp Cucco.

Paklenica in Croatia might work.  Crowded enough that there has to be folks looking for partners.

Good luck and let us know how it went!

Great additional tips! Will finalize my plannings and let you for sure know. :)

Hi Regina! I haven’t been yet, but am heading to Kalymnos this October/November. I have multiple friends who have gone there solo and all said it was amazingly early to find partners. I think especially if you are going in October and/or stay in a hotel that caters to climbers, you will have no problem. I’ll be there with my partner but am happy to link up. I also have two separate girlfriends that will be there solo at the same time and looking to climb that I could connect you with.If you want to chat more, text me! 440 eight one three 8446. Send it to Greece!

Hey Regina! 

I'll be solo in Leonidio from Nov 15th - Dec 8th ish. 

Lot's of climbing experience and soft catches! :) Feel free to DM me if you'll be there around that time. 

Cheers, 

Colten 

Colin Rowewrote:

This may not be your cup of tea but learning how to lead, rope soloing, gives you more independence to climb when partners are not available. There are times I prefer to rope solo than climb with a partner. Climbing on bolted routes can make this easier. 

I'd recommend the Verdon Gorge in October as it's temperature and beauty is second to none. It is adequately bolted and for the experienced, exceptional. Alan Carne (English with a French rock climbing qualification has been established there for many years). I'm not suggesting you use him but if you contact him he might point you in the direction of possible partners. Alan is very friendly and all too willing to widen the appeal of the Verdon. Alan has travelled widely, is considerably experienced, and may offer suggestions that other's haven't. I hope you have a great time.