Hot Rocks Trip, April 2026

Meet Co-ordinator: Tony Bird

It was a group of 7 bleary eyed GMC’ers that queued for the bus to Heathrow T5 at silly o’clock. Our destination, the large island of Sicily and the fast-developing sports climbing venue of San Vito Lo Capo, this is a bit over hours’ drive west of Palermo.

Although there are plenty of bigger cliffs / multipitch climbs nearby, the group concentrated on the single pitch cliffs (Scogliera de Salinella) set back from the west facing shore. Over 800 routes spread over 4 ½ km and divided onto 4 sectors gave the party a lot to go for, and almost without exception all the climbs were good at what ever grade we chose.

The group climbed generally in the lower grades 5a to 5c but several regularly ventured well into the higher 6’s. The rock was rough (sometime too rough and saw off one pair of rock shoes), well featured and unlike some ‘sun rock’ venues the routes had a lot of character about them. Cracks, a cave, two overhangs and a delicate wall section all in 30m!

Our villa was comfortable and not too pricy and a good place to chill out in the evenings, however we were not alone! A second GMC team of 4 lurked nearby in the town proper and we met both at the crag, had a really pleasant joint BBQ one evening and a final joint meal in a local restaurant.  

Great weather, good company and climbing made it an outstanding visit; some at least hope to return next year.