Alright folks - looks like the Olive Branch are in a spot of bother with the massive drop in tourism from Corona restrictions.
I'm sure many UKC members will have had fantastic experiences staying with these guys, so let's chip in and keep things rolling so we can all go back there in the future.
I've been going to the Olive Branch for over a decade now. I've never in all my time as a climber found a place quite as welcoming and relaxing, and Gary and Mel have become lifelong friends. Anyone who can spare even a fiver, it would be really appreciated by them to get through this difficult winter and ensure that we have this unique place for years to come.
Bear in mind that the larger pledges, you get your money back in free stays, so it doesn't even have to cost you anything in the long run! Go on, you know its the right thing to do
I've only been once but blimming loved it and have been wanting to return ever since. It'd be a shame to see this place go so I'll be dashing some brass their way, it might give me the impetus to get back once all this has blown over.
Oh man. The olive branch is one of those places where if you need a trip but have no partners you can just turn up and find a family’s worth of friends, would be so tragic to lose. Thanks for sharing this!
When I first went there, they'd only just cottoned on to the fact that they were on the middle of a climbing mecca ! I think their original business plan revolved around having a fitness centre.
I think this is slowly but surely playing a role in the overall business with the yoga/Pilates courses etc.
It's the first place I ever went on a non UK climbing trip and at the time absolutely blew my mind (never having seen any big limestone walls before!).
Still never made it up to Makinodromo despite being in Chorro three times so it'd grand to be able to go back.
Thanks for the donations folks, let's keep it going 💪🏻😄
Thanks for posting this. Gary and Mel are such welcoming people and the OB is such a convenient place for a quick week in the sun, it'd be a real loss if it closed down.
I can understand why some people might object to a business asking for what, in some instances, will be donations. It grates on folk who have a job and work hard that someone might be asking for something for free, in order to pursue their preferred mode of life. I feel like that when I see someone asking for sponsorship money to go on holiday up Everest. If everyone who has been hit financially by Corona was on UKC asking for handouts there wouldn't be much room for anything else. A bit like a big banner that pops up and asks you for cash once a day ;)
This is different, though. Yes, the OB is a business, but it's also a shared resource. It's a cheap place to stay, with friendly hosts, and it's very much at the heart of the climbing community in El Chorro.
Also, if you send over a set amount and you were planning on going back to the OB anyway you're just paying for your holiday a bit further in advance than normal.
I've shared it with UoN Climbing Club, who have been going there every year for the past decade. Obviously, the majority of them still being students, donations are probably gonna be small, but there is a fair number of alumni following (myself included).
