Camping and secure storage

Hi guys,

My wife and I are planning a euro trip - Spain, France, and Italy - next May. We're on a budget and would like to camp near climbing areas when possible. I've read of good campsites in Rodellar and near Verdon Gorge. My question is, what do you do with all your stuff (clothes, tent, passport, money, packs) when you go to the crag? It doesn't seem safe to leave all that unattended unless it's in some sort of locker.

We're planning on renting a car for Spain, but not in France or Italy, if we can help it. I've heard that you shouldn't even leave gear in the car anyways, because rental cars are often break in targets.

Any thoughts?

Good question, thieves are a problem in some areas (particularly the ones close of large cities). Campgrounds are generally secure for the stuff,i never got problems when leaving tents clothes and all the stuff.
Rental cars are a target, but all the others too. Usually, i let my car empty and open and i keep my credit card in the chalk bag together with the car kees!!!
I Use this strategy in Calanques and south of france.

My feeling is that the problem is less critical in north italia and spain, and does not exist in swissland and austria.

Thanks for the reply Pierre. I know some hostels have secure or at least semi-secure, supervised storage rooms for people to keep belongings. Do campgrounds have anything like that? Some of the campgrounds I've looked into had laundry, showers, even a bar and a yoga studio (Mascun). It seems like they ought to have some secure storage on site... but it sounds like we may just be okay leaving the camping gear in the tent anyways. I could keep the valuables, like money, ID, and keys, on my person or with my belay while we're climbing.

Also, is there traveler's insurance that will cover theft? Maybe something through AAC? Does anyone have experience with this?

Maybe I'm worrying too much, but this will be our first big international trip and I don't want to overlook anything. Losing our gear would really put a damper on our trip...

Homeowners or renters insurance should cover you.

hi Anson,

European campgrounds are generally far to be primitive. Drinkable water and electricity is the minimum rule, the areas have generally a fence and permanent staff. It makes the risk lower but the sites are much more narrow than the US ones, no table or fire ring and less privacy. Some campground have cabins quite cheap in medium season.

For the gear, keep in mind you can let your double BD rack in US, QD and a small rack is enough together with a 2*50 if you plan to do multipitches.

My favourite spots for limestone multipitches in may are terradets and costa blanca in spain, verdon and presles in france (but with a car), arco in italia (with a bike)