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Rock Climbing in Europe in May

Original Post
Mark Fiji · · Los Angeles, CA · Joined Mar 2016 · Points: 50

I'm heading to Europe to do some rock climbing May 16-24 but am having a hard time pin pointing a spot.  From what I've googled, May seems to be an in between month for prime season so I'm here to ask for some recommendationsSo far I have:• Chulilla, Spain• Verdon, France• Mallorca, Spain• Kalymnos, Greece
I'm open to suggestions as well.  I'm down for all day cragging as well as multipitch, I don't swing particularly either way.
I'm willing to switch locations mid trip as well.
Things to consider:• I'm going alone if my European friends can't join so an area where I can meet climbers would be ideal• I get sick easily at 6k' and higher (I get altitude sickness just getting tot he base of Steck-Salathe and every Tahquitz trip is a sufferfest)• Price isn't too much of a concern.
About me:Flash 11a sport & tradHave 70-80m ropeHave all the gear
Where would you climb in mid may?

Andrew Keating · · Las Vegas, NV · Joined Oct 2020 · Points: 0

Hey Mark! Spain and Greece are going to be too hot in May. I'd recommend Bohuslän in Southwestern Sweden - awesome single pitch granite splitters, short approaches, daylight from 4AM to 11PM, and generally reliable weather that time of year. The local climbing club has a cabin where you can stay cheaply, and it's a good place to meet climbing partners.

Adam Brink · · trying to get to Sardinia · Joined Mar 2001 · Points: 610

If you want to go to Spain that time of year, Teverga and Rodellar won't be too hot and both areas are stellar. A lot of areas in the south of France will be good in mid May, think the Gorge de Tarn and Saint Antonin Noble Val. Also, the gritstone in the north of England will be in pretty decent conditions then and you can't call yourself a climber until you've done something hard on the grit.

Mike J · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2023 · Points: 0

I've been to the cabin in Sweden, mentioned above. It's a pretty nice spot to stay the night and meet climbers. And there's a couple of granite crags nearby that reminded me of the church bowl area in Yosemite. It's sweet if that's your thing but it's a far cry from Kalymnos or Mallorca.

If I had only one week in Europe I'd wanna go to the Italian alps like Val d'Aosta. Partner finding could be tricky tho.

Brooks K · · Montreal · Joined Jan 2019 · Points: 5

Thoughts on if Sardinia will be too hot for the same time frame (first two weeks of may)? 

Alan Rubin · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2015 · Points: 10

There is a thread a short way ‘below’ this one, which discusses Sardinia conditions in September. I would guess that early May would be pretty similar, possibly a bit better.  If you rent a car and can be flexible, one good aspect of  the various crags in the central eastern coastal and inland areas ( Cala Gonone/Baunei/Ulassi-Jerzu/Supremonte) is that they are all relatively close to each other but at significantly varying altitudes and exposures, so that you can almost always find some place to climb in the area that will have decent conditions.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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