UKH

We're heading out to the Olive branch in Chorro next week and I've had trouble finding correct information relating to accessing routes in the George and what sectors in the George are even still bolted (wouldn't mind having a look at the Zeppelin)

There seems to be two methods mentioned...

1) Head to the north entrance early in the day with helmets and proof of liability insurance and be escorted in by a ranger.

2) Access via the tracks early in the day before any guards turn up.

Are there any better methods and how frequent to trains head through the tunnels?

Thanks folks.

In reply to Tigger:

Apparently its the best Irish pub in Barcelona but that's a long way to go for a pint...

Oh God, I'm one of those people...

Damn auto correct!

In reply to Tigger:

In all seriousness I hope you get a constructive response to this. I remember people were reassured when the new walkway was under construction that access to the routes would still be possible but I heard recently that they've been permanently banned. Although the routes are either too hard or serious for me at the moment Africa is on my lifetime list...

In reply to Tigger:

I was there just after Christmas. Definitive information was hard to find. We asked the man in the booth at the Chorro end of the walkway about access to Zeppelin and his reply was to walk up and over the ridge (though I suppose he can't say anything but that). We did this but it took so long that we decided there wasn't enough day left to try the route.

It was clear that plenty of climbers were walking through the railway tunnels. If I was there again I'd seriously consider getting up very early and doing this before anyone was around. It's equally clear that the fines are very high if you get caught. Personal choice I guess.

The tunnels are wide enough that you wouldn't have a problem if a train came, though it might be a bit noisy.

I can't comment on the state of the routes in the gorge I'm afraid, as we didn't actually get close to any of them.

If anyone has updates on this I'd be keen to hear them...

In reply to Tigger:

I would have thought the Olive Branch should be able to advise.

In reply to Tigger:

We used the tracks to get in and out a couple of times. No one seemed to notice or to be paying much attention. Plenty others in the tunnels too. Apparently you can get fined though.

We climbed in over a wall by the green bridge (near the entrance to the camino). And out the same way.

Zeppelin is great, well worth the risk.

In reply to 1poundSOCKS:

Thanks, what sort of times were you able to get through the tunnels?

In reply to gw3285:


I've been stuck flattening myself against the wall of the tunnel as a train went past and believe me "a bit noisy" really doesn't do justice to the intensity of the experience! Needed a very long lie down afterwards.

In reply to Tigger:

We did zeplin in Feb and just walked through the tunnels as usual. And also when we went to maki. As did lots of teams. Same last Nov.

Nothing has changed as far as I can tell and I've never seen a guard having been down the tunnels about 10 times at all different times of the day.

In reply to snoop6060:

Thanks! Do you know what's the easiest way of getting onto the Caminto Del Rey? Can climbers just walk onto it early morning?

In reply to Tigger:

The easiest way is to pay like everyone else, sorry .

Whilst the tracks seem fine and nobody cares, I suspect you will find quite a different attitude if you get caught trespassing on the walkway. Or climbing off it / under it. I'd personally avoid it (unless it was dark).

In reply to Tigger:

Went in early morning, came out about tea time or early evening. Can't remember exactly.