Andalusian rock climbs

an introductory guide: El Chorro, Albercones, El Torcal, Los Venenos, Los
Cotos, Zeppelin, El Polverin, Teneriffe
The area described in this guide is so far south (Malaga is only 120km from
the North African coast) that the winters are exceptionally mild. The amount
of rock available for climbing throughout this area is considerable but
development has been at best somewhat erratic. By far the best known area is
El Chorro and this is the ideal place to base yourself. There is a
considerable variety of climbing both in grade and style with a remarkable
number of high grade climbs. The Cotos provides fine slab pitches, not all of
which are easy, Los Venenos offers plonk on face climbing and the Invento and
Makindromo have some really steep pitches. Pocket pulling is available on
several of the cliffs and big leads are the speciality of El Polverin.
Mijas is very much an outcrop with short fierce and very safe pitches, and El
Torcal presents acres of rock in a high and wild setting with an unusual style
of climbing because of the erosion the rock has suffered.
In all the areas described in this book the vast majority of the protection
and all the belays are fixed and substantial.