Compass West International School Of Rock Climbing

We just got back from sunny Spain having attended this 5 day climbing course. For £450 you get 7 nights accommodation in a simple chalet overlooking the pretty village of Finestrat and some amazing mountain ranges. The chalet sleeps up to 6, has a gas BBQ and fully equipped kitchen. It’s not luxury by any means but is perfectly fine for preparing meals and enjoying a glass of wine looking down over the hills towards the med.
After arriving on Saturday you start climbing on Sunday with a morning of knot tying, rope techniques as well as a short history of climbing (something which continues throughout the week). In the afternoon expect to be on rock showing what you can do in a controlled, extremely safe environment.
Day 2 is the toughest day on your arms as you keep climbing until your arms feel like they are about to drop off with each climb harder than the last.
Day 3 is easy enough, an introduction to trad climbing and placing your own gear along with techniques on rescuing yourself or others when things don’t quite go according to plan.
Day 4 is multipitch day and the location varies. We climbed a first ascent on some sandstone sea cliffs near Benidorm. The location was stunning and the 100m ascent fairly straight forward if it wasn’t for the significant heights you are climbing at.
Day 5 and it’s back to lots of climbing until you can’t climb no more I get the feeling this day is more flexible based on what the students have shown during the week and an opportunity to try things you may not have had the chance to do already such as sport climbing.
Day 6 is your day to do whatever you want. Go to the beach, visit some mountain castles, the nearby chocolate factory, or any of the nearby attractions in Benidorm.
Compass West is a small family-​run business. Rowland (the father) has been climbing for around half a century and still instructs now when numbers go over 3 people or when the need arises. With smaller groups like our, Mark (Rowland’s son) look after you and is happy to answer all the question you may have and more. Betty (Rowland’s wife) takes care of the chalet and answers any email queries very efficiently.
With flights to Alicante as cheap as £80 and car hire as low as £45 for a week this is the best value for money activity holiday I’ve ever been on. I’d recommend getting the car as you do tend to be done with climbing by 4pm and the local hypermarket has an amazing range of food that you won’t find in the small (but well stocked) supermarkets of Finestrat.
The experience of the instructors allows them to adjust the course for whoever attends and they cater for total beginners as well as climbers who have attended their courses for over 20 years.
Go!