Dream Trips
Dare to dream. Make a wish and the staff
at Slipstream will do their best to make it come true. Whether it
is the cobblestone towers of Meteora Greece, or the towering limestone
cliffs of Verdon France, that you wish to be guided on, our guides
can provide a once in a lifetime holiday experience with an exciting
outdoor focus.
Travel Expenses
Travel expenses include transport and a small amount of travel time
for the guide. There are no Slipstream ACMG qualified guides living
in these areas so it is necessary for them to travel there. If you
choose a time that our guides are already in this area conducting
a course, the Travel Costs are waived, making a cheaper experience
for you. Check out our Special Deals
page to find our when and where our guides are traveling.
METEORA, Greece
This is a wonderful place. It is one of those corners of the world
where history and geology has combined to create something truly
unique. The name Meteora means 'suspended in the air'. Millions
of years of wind and water have sculpted a strange and breathtaking
landscape of gigantic stone towers rising up to a thousand feet
out of the surrounding hills. Ninth century hermits were attracted
by the isolation of elusive summits and climbed them to settle in
the caves and fissures of the rocks. Over the next 600 years, monastic
orders seeking sanctuary from a troubled world gravitated to the
area and built a series of monasteries. At its height in the 15th
century there were 24 monasteries and nunneries perched on the towers,
most accessible only by multiple ladders, rope bridges or the famous
'monk in a basket' technique. Although only five of the sites are
still occupied today, stairs have replaced the baskets and tourists
rather than pilgrims are the main visitors, Meteora still retains
much of its mystery and majesty, particularly for the climber.
I was here in 1990 with my then future wife Barb. Unfortunately
it was in November and the weather was not so cooperative. We still
had a great time, wandering through this magical forest of towers,
visiting the monasteries and enjoying the local Greek hospitality.
The few days we did get out climbing left me dreaming of coming
back for more. The rock is a unique cobblestone, river rock embedded
in a matrix, and is surprisingly solid, even when the embedded rocks
are sticking more than half way out.
While there is lots of cragging to be done, the big attraction is
climbing the towers, ranging from two to fourteen pitches with plenty
of moderate grades. There are even summit registers on most of the
towers, a novel concept for rock climbers. Spectacular summits,
great climbing on interesting rock against a rich historical backdrop
makes this truly one of our Dream Trips
Recommended Climbing Season: April to September. The preferred
time is probably May with the best weather and well before the summer
tourists arrive. July and August can be very hot and the town gets
rather busy.
Cost
1 person $298
2 people $178 each
(Multiple Days will reduce your per day cost. Call for details.)
Travel Expenses subject to change: CONTACT
US for details
CONTACT US for further information or
to book a guide
ARAPILES, Australia
Some people class this sandstone monolith as one of the three best
climbing destinations in the world. Personally, I think that it
is one of top two!!! Although people traditionally shiver at the
idea of climbing on sandstone (picturing crumbling beach pieces),
Australia has pockets of sandstone that are as solid as granite.
This is one of them.
Arapiles has something for everyone from delicate face and slab
to steep corner and crack systems. There are even some flashy roof
climbs. Bolts are rare, with trad climbing being the norm and tricky,
thought-provoking placements common. But don't let that scare you
away. There are climbs as easy as 5.2 that are good introductions
to placing gear without concentrating on the moves. And for the
more advanced, until recently Arapiles still had the hardest climb
in Australia on one of its faces.
To help you feel like you are indeed climbing in a foreign country,
at the base of the cliffs are grazing kangaroos (especially at dusk
and dawn) and your food is not safe from pesky possums at night.
Recommended Climbing Season: It's Australia, the weather is good
to climb in all year round! However to avoid the more rainy times,
stay away for June and July and to avoid the "too hot"
times, stay away for December and January. But even in those months
you can find dry or cool areas to climb in.
Cost
1 person $298
2 people $178 each
(Multiple Days will reduce your per day cost. Call for details.)
Travel Expenses subject to change: CONTACT
US for details
CONTACT US for further information or
to book a guide
VERDON, France
Found on an elevated plateau above Marseille, this climbing Mecca
is surrounded by a rich and colorful southern French culture. The
climbing found on the walls of the deep and beautiful Verdon Gorge
is as diverse as it is endless. Pockets and features of all kinds
inspired early sport climbers to challenge its walls and put up
some of the worlds best face climbs. Countless other classics with
a real traditional feel are just as accessible and inviting. An
unforgettable experience!!!
Cost
1 person $298
2 people $178 each
(Multiple Days will reduce your per day cost. Call for details.)
Travel Expenses subject to change: CONTACT
US for details
CONTACT US for further information or
to book a guide
WHERE DO YOU DREAM OF? CALL US!!!
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