UKC

Does anyone know what the procedure would be for a rescue in an remote place on the Costa Blanca. For instance on the Campana or Bernia Ridge. Would it be down to the Spanish police, paramedics or is there a mountain rescue team? Or is it Jack Jones?

Its a good question, I think if it all goes wrong you'd better hope there is a local around to help. Failing that my (untested) plan would be to call the Guardia Civil on 062 and hope an English speaker replies. If that doesn't work  I'd call 112. I suspect the Guardia Civil would probably be able to respond quicker with their local knowledge, but only if you can communicate with them! It would be useful to hear from someone who has actually been in this situation or a local guide.  

Anybody would think Spain is still in the 1960s. I'm sure the Guardia Civil have rescue services or would call on a specialist. And many younger people in Spain speak English as well. 

10 years ago I was with a group of climbers in the Calpe area. I witnessed an accident on another route while climbing on the Peñon. Guy fell from 2nd bolt onto the belay ledge. The ledge was accessibel from below (road) by scrambling. Didn’t look to bad but he passed out. His wife panicked. We couldn’t assist (but vocally) as we were on an overhanging route way to the right. Called 112, had to talk in Spanish. Finally someone got on the phone who spoke a bit of English. Took me 10 minutes to explain help was needed (no, for the tenth time, not us, others...). An hour later police, ambulance, guardia civil, bomberos, etc had arrived. Even a helicopter. Several attemps to get started were made but each time it seemed they were overruled by a senior official from another party.  As we topped out an hour and a half after making the call no rescue was underway.

The same happened when one of our team fell (belayer at fault) from the third bolt to the ground on a single pitch route at Gandia. I wasn’t around but appearently it was a big fight between ambulance, police, guardia, bomberos who was in charge and who got to rescue the victim. Took 1,5 hours to get him down the short path after the first responders had arrived. He got dropped several times on the way down if I remember correctly. Was told in the hospital he had broken a vertabrea, but back home another it turned out nothing was hurt but ego and pride. 

Moral of the story: better be prepared yourself.

Is this your round about way of saying you're stuck in a remote place on the Costa Blanca, and need rescuing?

I have a similar story from about 15 years ago when climbing on a crag with a scramble approach on Mallorca . It would be good to know if things are different now from the several people on here who live and climb in Spain or people with recent experience.

I don't understand the purpose of your comment?

Its the responsibility of the Fire Service in Spanish areas.Assisted with a search in Majorca many years ago on Massanella ,thought we had found the missing person but it turned out to be a be a fireman ,very badly equipped and very cold .I am sure things have improved since then.

After reading Harald's post above I don't think I'll be accepting any invitations to parties at Spanish breweries. 

Hi there,

In Costa Blanca (Alicante in general) is the Fire Department the responsible of all kind of rescues. The emergency number is 112 (it is free), and arrives directly to the rescue service. You wil need to give some info about your location, problem, nunber o climbers, etc...

The other option is to call 062 (it is not free). This is the Guardia Civil rescue team, profesionals in mountain rescue. I've use this because I know the members of the rescue team and if I need help I send a whatsapp with my possition to one of them (but this is not the normal procedure).

In both cases, I'm not sure if they will have english knowledge, but try it.

Climb safe.

David Mora

Mountain Guide

www.montana-mediterranea.com