UKC

Got a couple of weeks of annual leave to play with and want to go somewhere around mid-Oct to mid-November... looking for destination suggestions. Prefer adventures in pretty places, probs hvs/e1 multi-pitch terrain, sunny and ideally with some other things nearby of interest on days off.

Current vague ideas include

- US in Arizona area, maybe red rocks and utah desert stuff. Never been to the US so any recommendations welcome

- Morocco trad. Not been to Taghia before so probs there. Have been to Morocco a few times so its not quite ticking all the boxes

Any other suggestions? Went to Jordan last year so probs won't go again just yet...

Thanks in advance, Luke

I've got two outside the box places, Cochamo in Chile or the Frey in Argentina. December can be iffy weather wise, but we had no problems last year.

Frey maybe more suitable though as there's lots of other things to do in neary Bariloche, it's the beer and chocolate capital of Argentina (check out Rapanui). Good running, walking, paragliding, and lots of easy accessible sport climbing if the wind is high up at the Frey. You don't need to hire a car unless you drive out to Valle Encantado and can do everything by public transport. 

That’s prime season for most major US venues so nearly anywhere you pick will be good, as long as it’s not too high up. Mountain Project has useful weather guides on every crag page so you can see if it’s suitable. 

South Africa would be good at that time, not too hot just yet. Only issue is the cost getting there is about double that of the US. No jet lag though as its straight down!

If you’ve not been to red rocks before then surely that should be rectified if you have the chance. Perfect time and endless fun at those grades. And there’s plenty of crazy stuff to do on the days off if chaos is your thing 😂. And when the canyons wear you out, which they do, there is loads of fun bouldering to entertain you on rest days. 

Both your initial ideas would be high up my list of recommendations. Here are trip reports from both:

Utah: https://doughton.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/bill-and-doms-excellent-advent...

Taghia: https://doughton.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/mafi-mushkil-a-trip-report-fro...

Cheers, Dom 

Thanks very much for the suggestions and advice

Cheers, Luke