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Post by larryyt on Nov 11, 2015 13:49:22 GMT -7
Hi all, I am a long time lurker, and finally decided to make an account. I have been thinking about making a trip in the next year or two, so I am trying to narrow down some places. I saw on a thread a while back about going to western China, and that has really stuck in my head since it would be more in my budget. I saw Salewa is doing a lot of contests. Those places have really peaked my interest as well. I have entered, and hopefully have a shot at it. Does anyone have experience at any of the places that they're offering? I look forward to hearing your responses, and would love any first hand feedback. thanks!
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Post by jetjackson on Nov 11, 2015 14:47:03 GMT -7
I've been to 45 countries now (apologies for humble brag), and if I could go anywhere, it would be back to Provence in the South East of France, in early Spring. I intend to try and set up a home exchange with someone living in the region one day so I can spend a couple of months there each year. Then I can spend my weekends heading down to the Pyrenees, climbing some of the best limestone routes in the world. Riding my motorbike through the lower Hautes-Alpes. Spending weekends in Girona, Barcelona, and Nice drinking wine, eating tapas and hanging out at the beach.
... There is a reason that Sharma has chosen to settle down in Catalonia!
I did helpx near Olot in Catalonia for 3 months, I would feed and exercise horses every morning and then have the afternoons to myself. IF only I knew how to climb back then! If I was 25 again, and didn't have family and career priorities, I would just find a helpx in that region and spend my days climbing. You could easily work part-time through helpx to cover your board and food - would make the trip very cheap.
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Post by Chris W on Nov 12, 2015 3:11:17 GMT -7
Life circumstances have limited my climbing to only 3 main areas; my home turf of south central PA, the Red River Gorge and, most recently, the New River Gorge. The NRG has been my favorite so far.
If I could go anywhere today, it would be to Wild Iris. The pictures of the place look amazing. It would be too expensive to take the whole family there right now and my wife would NOT be happy if I went solo and left her with the kids for a week. Someday...
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Post by jorgemendoza on Nov 12, 2015 7:04:28 GMT -7
Life circumstances have limited my climbing to only 3 main areas; my home turf of south central PA, the Red River Gorge and, most recently, the New River Gorge. The NRG has been my favorite so far. If I could go anywhere today, it would be to Wild Iris. The pictures of the place look amazing. It would be too expensive to take the whole family there right now and my wife would NOT be happy if I went solo and left her with the kids for a week. Someday... Oh! The New! I miss it so much... I am trying to move back to South West PA. Hopefully, I will see you in Lower Meadow in the Fall of 2016. There is a ton of nice bouldering in South PA. Also, mountain biking! I guess am gonna spend the rest of my morning looking at maps of the area...
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Post by MarkAnderson on Nov 12, 2015 8:34:16 GMT -7
Wild Iris is pretty kid friendly too, so you've got that working in your favor.
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Post by erick on Nov 12, 2015 8:53:09 GMT -7
Chris,
Every time I have been to Wild Iris there are always several troops of small kids with their families. And the camping is Free and beautiful so if the family does not mind a road trip I think you could make it work.
If I could go anywhere I want to spend more time in Europe. I lived in Belgium for a year and was not able to travel around nearly as much. I would love the chance to visit Frankenjura, or the dolomite. But also anywhere in southern France or Catalonia would be awesome!
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Post by larryyt on Nov 12, 2015 11:44:04 GMT -7
I've been to 45 countries now (apologies for humble brag), and if I could go anywhere, it would be back to Provence in the South East of France, in early Spring. I intend to try and set up a home exchange with someone living in the region one day so I can spend a couple of months there each year. Then I can spend my weekends heading down to the Pyrenees, climbing some of the best limestone routes in the world. Riding my motorbike through the lower Hautes-Alpes. Spending weekends in Girona, Barcelona, and Nice drinking wine, eating tapas and hanging out at the beach. ... There is a reason that Sharma has chosen to settle down in Catalonia! I did helpx near Olot in Catalonia for 3 months, I would feed and exercise horses every morning and then have the afternoons to myself. IF only I knew how to climb back then! If I was 25 again, and didn't have family and career priorities, I would just find a helpx in that region and spend my days climbing. You could easily work part-time through helpx to cover your board and food - would make the trip very cheap. Wow, I really appreciate the advice of someone that has been all over. I looked into Provence a little, and wow, I can see why you loved it. Truly beautiful..
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Post by larryyt on Nov 12, 2015 11:45:31 GMT -7
Life circumstances have limited my climbing to only 3 main areas; my home turf of south central PA, the Red River Gorge and, most recently, the New River Gorge. The NRG has been my favorite so far. If I could go anywhere today, it would be to Wild Iris. The pictures of the place look amazing. It would be too expensive to take the whole family there right now and my wife would NOT be happy if I went solo and left her with the kids for a week. Someday... Where in south central PA? I am in northern Baltimore County, so i'm not too far away.
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Post by MarkAnderson on Nov 12, 2015 11:46:09 GMT -7
I've been to Europe to climb three times and each time was better than the last. If you enjoy sport climbing, it's hard to go wrong--the rock there is just so much better than what we have here. As far as where to go in Europe, I would say figure out what type of cultural experiences you want, and then pick the country(ies) that best match those criteria.
That said, Europe is generally quite expensive. If money is tight, look into Thailand. The climbing is not as good as in Europe, but it's better than 90% of US sport crags, and the setting is spectacular, the food is amazing, and everything is dirt cheap.
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Post by James_E on Nov 12, 2015 12:43:41 GMT -7
I've been to Europe to climb three times and each time was better than the last. If you enjoy sport climbing, it's hard to go wrong--the rock there is just so much better than what we have here. As far as where to go in Europe, I would say figure out what type of cultural experiences you want, and then pick the country(ies) that best match those criteria. That said, Europe is generally quite expensive. If money is tight, look into Thailand. The climbing is not as good as in Europe, but it's better than 90% of US sport crags, and the setting is spectacular, the food is amazing, and everything is dirt cheap. If you're referring to Tonsai it should be noted that the village has been taken over by developers and irreversibly changed. The beach is trashed, most of the ramshackle bars are gone, and much of the forest has been removed. Eventually it will look just like Railay (resorts stacked on resorts), but at the moment it doesn't look like the paradise most people remember it as. There is awesome climbing elsewhere in Thailand as well (I enjoyed Crazy Horse a lot), and all over SE Asia.
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Post by larryyt on Nov 13, 2015 17:09:28 GMT -7
I've been to Europe to climb three times and each time was better than the last. If you enjoy sport climbing, it's hard to go wrong--the rock there is just so much better than what we have here. As far as where to go in Europe, I would say figure out what type of cultural experiences you want, and then pick the country(ies) that best match those criteria. That said, Europe is generally quite expensive. If money is tight, look into Thailand. The climbing is not as good as in Europe, but it's better than 90% of US sport crags, and the setting is spectacular, the food is amazing, and everything is dirt cheap. Hmm, I never thought of Thailand, but I really appreciate that advice as you are right in that it will save a lot of money. The culture also seems very interesting to me, which is a huge plus as well. I think i'll run this idea by my wife. thank you!
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Post by Chris W on Nov 13, 2015 18:39:15 GMT -7
Thanks for the info about Wild Iris being kid friendly. The main thing keeping me from going right now is the cost . Air tickets from Harrisburg (or Baltimore) to Denver seem like the best bet, but for 2 adults, 2 kids, + 1 in-the-lap infant its pretty steep. I'd also lose a week or more of income. Then I'd have to rent a van in Denver to drive to Lander. Plus, I'd have to find at least one other person crazy enough to come with us (one climbs, one belays, one keeps the kids safe). Larry, my home crag is Birdsboro PA
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Post by MarkAnderson on Nov 14, 2015 7:25:06 GMT -7
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Post by Chris W on Nov 14, 2015 21:22:36 GMT -7
Ha! It's very possible I wouldn't survive that trip. My wife will not allow ANYONE (except me because she can't keep me under control) out of their car seats while the car is moving under ANY circumstances. Baby fussy? Stop the car! Dirty diaper? Stop the car! Potty break? Stop the car!
York PA to Fayetteville WV via car for mortal humans = 6 hours York PA to Fayetteville WV via car for Washington family trip = 10 hours
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