There are a number of people offering guiding services or running climbing courses in the Costa Blanca. This page will hopefully give you all the details that you need.

David Mora Garcia

David advertises himself as a climbing and mountaineering instructor. He is based in Elche, not far south of Alicante but works principally in Finestrat and around (Ponoch, Peñon de Ifach, etc) climbing and walking guiding. He is a member of the Spanish mountaineering school and the Valencian mountaineering school.

I have climbed with David and he seems extremely knowledgeable of the local area as well as being very friendly. He also speaks very good English. He can also supply helmets, harnesses or karabiner if you require them. He even has Via Ferrata lanyards should you be interested in doing the Costa Blanca's Via Ferrata.

Compass West

This well established climbing school is based in Finestrat just at the base of Puig de Campana. It is run by Rowland Edwards and his son Mark whose names you will see crop up against many a route as you get to know the Costa Blanca. The school primarily runs week long residential courses under the categories of 'General Rock', 'Multi-Pitch', 'Mountain Rock Bivi' and 'Big Wall and Aid Climbing'. Check out their website for further details of what these courses entail.

Compass West have a new course, 'Wild Adventure Climbing'. This course appears to promise wild mountain climbing away from the usual haunts. The Edwards have been based in the Costa Blanca for a long time now and this course is designed to take you to some of the more remote and wilder mountains that they know about.

Week-end courses. They are now also offering week-end course for those who wish to take a short break from work, or just cannot manage a weeks course. There are a number of airlines who are now offering flights at such low prices that going out to Alicante for a long week-end makes real sense. Check out the Getting There section of the General Information page.

'Been twice, had a great time both times. You climb for 5 days in a different crag each day, including multi-pitch. both sport climbing and traditional. the guide is Mark Edwards, an E10 climber from Devon. he's quite a nice bloke considering how good a climber he is. The trip will cost you £300 for self catering accommodation and 5 days guiding/tuition. you have to get your own flights as well. If you've got the money go for it!'

I'm afraid I have lost details of who sent me this but thanks anyway.

A friend who has been on two different courses with Compass West has written a feedback article. It gives a good idea of the content of the courses and makes them sound very exciting.

Thanks to Colin Eccles for this article

Rock and Sun

A Costa Blanca based company offering guided trips to the Costa Blanca as well as other areas in Spain and Europe. They offer week long and long weekend guided climbing holidays.

The two chaps that Chris was instructing that week had already done several days sport climbing, an adventure route on Penon d'Ifach and were off to do another adventure route on Puig de Campana for their last day. Sounded like an excellent week!

Chris' Right to Reply

Rock & Sun Ltd operates Rock Climbing Courses and Holidays in the UK and all over Europe.
 
Accommodation:
Most guests choose to stay in self catering accommodation in Calpe, however Rock & Sun Ltd have a wide range of areas and accommodation to suit all requirements and budgets. Calpe is small sea side resort, central to all the best climbing. During peak climbing season it is quieter, however it is a prime destination for climbers all over the world, so is a good place to meet like minded individuals. It has a variety of bars and restaurants as well as one of the best climbing shops in the Costa Blanca where all Rock & Sun guests receive a 10% discount.
 
Staff:
Rock and Sun Ltd has British qualified Mountaineering Instructors in Spain, England and Italy (British qualified and insured). Rock & Sun are able to run such excellent Holidays & courses due to the highly specialised, professional and experienced instructors we have on our team. A quality they all share is their adaptability to respond to the requirements of the individual and their dedication to facilitate each student achieving the most out of their chosen holiday or course by tailoring each day to meet your experience, requirements & aspirations.

'Climbed with Rock & Sun twice last year. Both holidays were excellent. Instructors, tuition, venues were fab. Give them a call and chat about what climbing/instruction you'd like - they're very helpful.'

Thanks to Gary for these comments.

The Orange House

The Orange House run a wide range of week long courses including 'Introduction to Rock', 'Women Only Week', 'Advanced Rock Climbing' and several others. Richard Mayfield kindly took me out for a days climbing in 2003 to show off his guiding abilities. We had a fantastic day out in the Mascarat Gorge climbing the Via UBSA route. A great route in the V+ grade. Richard has an infectious sense of fun and it was impossible not to get carried along with his enthusiasm. Even on a route that I'm sure was very straight forward for him and would not have stretched his capabilities, he was still enthusiastic and excited. He was happy to lead whenever I felt somewhat over awed but equally willing to stand aside and let me lead whenever I felt the urge. All in all I think we both had a great day out.