Another short trip completed. This time a return to an old venue I hadn't been too in almost 10 years, Costa Blanca region. Interestingly, I hadn't left with the fondest of memories for the area from the last time - too many ex-Pats had taken over the area, we had rented an apartment in a high-rise in tourist-beach central, lots of driving between crags, none of the climbing had really stood out, etc. - but time obviously softens the memory, plus we had an excuse to go back as Naomi was teaching a retreat out there the following week after she'd abandoned and sent me back to the day job. Life is tough for some!

Anyway, kicked off with the fun image of a bag packing for a climbing trip. Man, these North Face haul bags are ace, my style of packing too with the whole approach being stuff haphazardly as required, no organisation required. Love it.

For those who like moving pictures, here's the collection of fun and serious pictures. Enjoy :)

And for those who prefer reading, photos and short stories below.

The climbers will know what this kit means.... 😀 #climbing #InjuredButGoingAnyway #Spain #outdoors #IrishDampWinterEscape

75 Likes, 10 Comments - nealmcquaid (@nealmcquaid1) on Instagram: "The climbers will know what this kit means.... 😀 #climbing #InjuredButGoingAnyway #Spain #outdoors..."

Then, the airport happened and well, I got bored so got some very bemused looks while recording this......

When waiting for a flight slowly gets to you. Wait for it..... #travel #zen #meditation #airport #dublin #humor #humour #travelator #climb 😀😂😉🛣🛫

24 Likes, 5 Comments - nealmcquaid (@nealmcquaid1) on Instagram: "When waiting for a flight slowly gets to you. Wait for it..... #travel #zen #meditation #airport..."

The photo below says a lot about the trip for me. I've got a labrum tear in my right shoulder at present, so have essentially not climbed (indoors or outdoors) since last July. But this trip, I climbed! And the sheer joy was explained in the post below:

This photo is robbed from Naomi's @elementsyogadublin account but a moment worth recording! I've a tear in my shoulder looking like it's needing surgery and this is the first time that I'm climbing for the first time in several months. But forget about the injury, it's the sheer joy that comes climbing that I'm re-living again, re-reminding me of what is so good about the sport and what is so hard to explain to non-climbers. Is it the rush of being up on a rock face, or the outdoors under a blue sky, or the space away from the city, or the always amazing people we meet (and like always, shortly after taking this photo, we bumped into two friends we'd met in France several years ago)? Who cares, but I'm grateful for having found a lifetime activity that allowed me to see these beautiful areas and meet these amazing people.... #climbing #climbing_pictures_of_instagram #outdoors #friends #travel #climb #spain #costablanca #sportclimbing #friends #humble #grateful

71 Likes, 7 Comments - nealmcquaid (@nealmcquaid1) on Instagram: "This photo is robbed from Naomi's @elementsyogadublin account but a moment worth recording! I've a..."

Climbed at Alcalali sector, 5 minute walk-in from the car-park. Nice mix of grades and interesting enough climbing.

Thanks for trashing this cactus tree, Mr/mrs 'BMC'. Classy.

Short walk in to the crag. As usual, photo from iPhone, unedited.

As always, I'm so lucky with the various people I've met over the years while traveling and as is always now the case, we bumped into some old friends we'd met in Ceuse years ago. Love it. They live out in Spain permanently these days and have recently been developing a climbing area so we took the opportunity to go visit on the last day of the trip. Just another climbing area, 40 metres tall, fantastic climbing and absolutely jammed with locals - what a great time.

Spent yesterday at this climbing area. 25-minute walk-in and mobbed with Spanish people (incl families)!!!! A 'local' climbing area, not well known. 40 metre routes and a currently around 50 routes. Just another outdoor area in Spain for the locals.

30 Likes, 2 Comments - nealmcquaid (@nealmcquaid1) on Instagram: "Spent yesterday at this climbing area. 25-minute walk-in and mobbed with Spanish people (incl..."

We also managed to get in a pile of running and hiking. Hard not to when the trails are in such good condition and set up. Granted, I never did find a flat run in the whole week, clocking over 1,500 metres of vertical ascent in the time. Phew. All good fun though!

A rare selfie: Mid-run and after (re)learning (for the millionth time) that going too hard too soon is never a good idea. Though, it's still much better than sitting on the couch 😀 FYI, for anyone interested in good running trails, phenomenal options in the Alicante, Spain, region. #running #trailrunning #costablanca #spain

47 Likes, 6 Comments - nealmcquaid (@nealmcquaid1) on Instagram: "A rare selfie: Mid-run and after (re)learning (for the millionth time) that going too hard too soon..."

Fun walk known as the '5,000 steps'. Granted it turns out if you do the full loop, it's actually 14km's and 17,000 steps..... Nice romantic walk with Naomi on Valentines Day ;)

Selfie time after 14km of hiking in sun with only a litre of water. #NeverLearn

Travel Info

Flights

Alicante airport is closest, less than an hours drive from the main areas. Alternative option is Valencia, circa 1.5 hours drive north. Additional benefit of Valencia is if you decide to try out Chulilla, or even further north Montanejos (or one of the many crags nearby).

Being ex-pat and ultra tourist area, during off-season in particular (which is optimum for doing activities), it's ridiculously cheap.

Accommodation

If near the coast, Calpe works with dozens of apartments. I wouldn’t recommend it though, there’s loads of housing further inland to consider. Calpe feels relatively anonymous and sun-baked. You’ll find lovely villages further inland.

Shopping

Mega-supermarket at Ondara. Masmas, (small, decent) supermakrket in Orba. Other smaller supermarkets in many other towns.

Climbing

Best suggestion is just get the Rockfax to the area. Amazon link here.

Peno Roja, Alcalali, and the well known Sella, as well as Gandia.

If looking for a short trip, it's only two hours drive up to Chulilla (details here) up the road.

Activities

If you're into hiking, make sure to bookmark Bob and Jean Hall's website which covers an astounding list of hikes across the region. Full maps and accurate times all hosted here.

Biking is huge here also. Ridiculously huge: individuals, groups, and even pro teams. I guess it's pretty good then!

There's obviously the Mediterranean about 20-30 minutes drive away at all times......

What I did last week: Costa Blanca