Climbing in Gozo! Peter had tried an indoor climbing wall at a trade fair once. I (Helena) had never climbed and am also afraid of heights. We have just returned from our trip to Malta, but a few days ago we were faced with a half-day of climbing in Gozo. How would it go?
Table of contents
Climbing with Gozo Adventure
We met up with the guide from Gozo Adventures near the rock wall where you climb. I immediately started by saying that "I am not sure I will do this". I'm kind of afraid of heights ...! The guide replied that I could choose exactly what I wanted to do, and that I could act as a photographer instead if I wanted to. Then it all felt a little calmer ...
We put on safety harnesses and helmets and each tried out a pair of climbing shoes, which we attached to the harness. Then we set off on foot to the place where we would be climbing. It was us, a young newly married Irish couple and two guides.
"Abseiling"
The climbing area is beautiful and there are lots of different 'walls', each labelled with a number on a 12-point scale, indicating how challenging the climb is. The wall we were going to climb was marked with a 4 and the guide started with instructions on how to do it.
The type of climbing we tried is called 'abseiling'. You climb up the wall (without climbing over the edge) while the guide hauls in the rope so that it remains taut at all times. When you go back down, you are brought down with the rope while leaning backwards and walking with your feet towards the rock.
How did it go?
Peter, of course, managed the climb brilliantly. He climbed up and down different climbing routes like a little monkey (well). I am afraid of heights and was doubtful if I would even dare to try. But I did! At the first attempt I only got halfway up, but at the second attempt I got all the way up. Maybe not the most graceful and confident climb ... but still!
Who can try climbing in Gozo?
No prior knowledge is required to try climbing in Gozo, and climbing is for both children and adults. Unless you have specific health reasons that prevent you from doing so, it's a free-for-all. Don't forget to check out the 360 image below!
Things to consider
Would you like to try climbing in Gozo? Here are some tips:
- If you are not used to climbing - book only a half day. If so, combine it with another activity in the afternoon.
- Wear comfortable casual clothes according to the weather and a pair of comfortable shoes (trainers or hiking boots) to walk to and from the climbing wall.
- Pack a bottle of water. You can take a small rucksack with you.
- Don't forget your camera if you want to capture the adventure!
Tell us if you have ever tried climbing! What are your experiences?
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Lennart says:
Climbing is probably not for my new knee.
On the other hand, I have never climbed before either.
11 April 2017 - 7:06
Helena says:
You don't have to do everything either. For me it was fun to try, but I won't be a climber ... 😉.
11 April 2017 - 14:21
LinizTravel says:
Wow impressive 🙂 awesome yes! Great pictures!!! Hugs
11 April 2017 - 7:50
Helena says:
A bit proud that I dared to do it anyway 🙂 .
11 April 2017 - 14:21
Anki says:
You are the best! Cool pictures! Climbing is nothing for me... didn't even like climbing as a child 🙂 .
11 April 2017 - 8:55
Helena says:
Glad you like our pictures! I won't be a climber either ... but it was fun to try! 😉
11 April 2017 - 14:22
Ama de casa says:
I mean... I don't even like getting close to the edge. Climbing on it is a waste of time!
But you were brave to challenge your demons and face the wall with that honour.
Brave - or foolhardy? It's a fine line sometimes... But with a rope like that, it actually looks very safe.
11 April 2017 - 9:32
Helena says:
Haha, yes that line can be fine, but in this case I think it was quite harmless. The harness felt safe 😉
11 April 2017 - 14:23
Ditte says:
Really fun to try this and that you both did it under different conditions. Especially well done by Helena, as you were a bit hesitant. Congratulations. I have visited Gozo a few times but not climbed. however, I have tried a few times to climb in Italy and in Switzerland but then I was probably 10 years younger than today. And challenging yourself gives a lot of other things in the bargain.
Understand that you have had great days and a lot has happened. I've been following along.
11 April 2017 - 9:54
Helena says:
I'm not surprised you've been climbing! Tell me what you haven't done 😉 Fun to try, and glad I dared! 🙂
11 April 2017 - 14:24
Dawan says:
Something I've always wanted to try! If you can do it, so can I!?
11 April 2017 - 10:03
Helena says:
Yes, I'm really quite sure about that!!! 🙂 Test, test!
11 April 2017 - 14:25
Anita Malta says:
How exciting and congratulations on making it all the way up Helena. Strongly done considering the fear of heights and fun that Peter climbed as if he had never done anything else 🙂 Nothing for me, I think anyway 😕 Very nice pictures that show how steep it is, very steep and I guess it takes a lot of strength.
11 April 2017 - 10:19
Helena says:
Thank you very much! But you never know ... maybe you should try it? 🙂 And yes, I did think it was steep ... 😉 .
11 April 2017 - 20:53
Mr Frank Olsen says:
Climbing is exciting, yes.
We have tried climbing with ropes once, and rappelling down again afterwards, but that was many years ago.
But in 2014 we climbed the 'Himmelstigen' at Trolltunga in Hardanger, Norway. This is a 'via ferrata' where steel steps are inserted into the rock face. You do not climb with a rope, but with two harnesses with carabiners attached to a wire that runs alongside the steps. A fantastic experience!
http://janneogfrank.blogspot.no/2015/12/tidligere-turer-7-himmelstigen-til.html
11 April 2017 - 10:24
Helena says:
Wow, what a climb! Absolutely incredible pictures!!!
11 April 2017 - 20:58
Mr Steve says:
Fun experience! You are real adventurers who try most things. Good for you for overcoming your fear of heights.
I've never climbed, but now that I absolutely can't, I think it looks appealing.
11 April 2017 - 13:17
Helena says:
This was definitely adventurous 😉 Fun to try, but I'm not going to be a climber... 😉.
11 April 2017 - 20:59
Ruth in Virginia says:
What a great guy!!!
Personally, I prefer to see a view rather than a rock face.
Can you go down with your back to the mountain, perhaps? 🙂
11 April 2017 - 13:53
Helena says:
Yes, better views with your back to the mountain of course... but it seems very difficult! 😉
11 April 2017 - 21:00
BP says:
Well done to you for having the courage to climb that steep wall and overcome your fear of heights.
I'm not afraid of heights, but on the other hand I'm not particularly adventurous either;-)
11 April 2017 - 14:38
Helena says:
Thank you 🙂 But of course, you should only go for it if you find it appealing!
11 April 2017 - 21:01
Husis blog says:
Now the owners have only been reading without writing for a couple of days, they say they have been busy....
But what an adventure trip you have made and especially the climbing the male owner would like to try. Whilst it may not be more than once, you have attracted him to this, so we will see what happens.
Thanks for the nice reports from your trip!
11 April 2017 - 18:19
Helena says:
Glad your owners appreciate our reports 🙂 Yep, this was a real adventure trip! And please tell the owner that we think he should try climbing! 🙂
11 April 2017 - 21:02
Marina says:
Cool and so glad you dared to try - and made it!!!
12 April 2017 - 4:00
Helena says:
It felt very good that I dared 🙂 .
02 June 2017 - 16:25
Anna, Travel on a Cloud says:
So glad you were able to do it, Helena! Go for it! Very nice pictures.
No, I haven't climbed and don't plan to. But who knows? 😉
12 April 2017 - 6:30
Helena says:
Thanks for the cheer! 🙂 And glad you like our pictures!
02 June 2017 - 16:25
Lena - good for the soul says:
Go for it! Well done! I have never climbed, but I can imagine that I would enjoy it.
Hug Lena
12 April 2017 - 16:29
Helena says:
It's really fun actually! Even if I had to challenge the fear of heights a bit ... 😉 .
02 June 2017 - 16:26