About me

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Hey there, I´m Jennifer (the Wild Child Costa Blanca)

“I discovered the great outdoors later in life than most, and soon realised what I had been missing out on!

I tried hiking for the first time, which lead me to more adventurous outdoor activities, such as scrambling, trail running, wild camping, via ferratas, canyoning, climbing and more!

However, in summer you will more likely find me in water: wild swimming, paddleboarding and cliff jumping (despite being scared of water!)

With so many hobbies it is difficult to become an expert in any of them (apart from wild camping, which I could probably write a book about if I could sit still long enough).

However, one consistent factor is my love of exploring and being surrounded by nature.

I moved to Spain in 2019 and have finally settled in the Costa Blanca, captivated by the beauty and awe of the countryside, mountains and other natural spaces. Here I have found my home.

I look forward to sharing my outdoor adventure experiences with you, so that you can enjoy everything that this beautiful region has to offer too”

(Wild Child Costa Blanca)

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My experience

In chronological order, these are the outdoor activities that have got me (the Wild Child Costa Blanca) to where I am today…

Hiking

I went on my first hike in March 2014 in the UK wearing high visibility waterproof trousers and steel toecap boots, because I used to work in Health and Safety, and because I had no idea how unsuitable they would be for hiking!)

I joined a few hiking groups following a leader, but increasingly I wondered what I was missing out on, on the routes that we didn´t take!

In March 2015 I did a course “Learn how to read an Ordinance Survey map and test your skills” and I was off! A month later, I organised my first hike for a Meetup group.

In June 2015 I did an “Outdoor First Aid” course and in September 2015 I did another “Mountain Skills” course to add to my skillset.

I continued to organise events, progressing to hiking weekends at campsites or in youth hostels, then onto more exciting outdoor adventures.

In the Costa Blanca, there are SO many beautiful places to go hiking. There are many mountains that I am yet to climb, but I look forward to sharing my expeiences with you as I do.

Scrambling

Scrambling is an activity somewhere between hiking and climbing. You need to use your hands to help you ascend steep rocky terrain, but you don´t usually use any equipment (although a rope and such can be useful for extra security or for rescue purposes).

My first scramble was in April 2015, and a year later I organised my first Meetup scrambling event.

I LOVE Scrambling, and I have scared myself to death many times doing it but I keep going back for more. Once you get back on solid ground, you appreciate how good it feels to be alive!

In January 2016 I did a “Winter Skills” course, and started scrambling in the snow, but I think that my ice axe and crampons have retired since moving to the Costa Blanca!

If you like the look of these activities then I can personally recommend the Costa Blanca Mountain Adventures (multi-activity outdoor adventure book). It includes ridge scrambles, via ferratas, canyoning , climbing, hiking, trail running and mountain biking routes. Pretty cool, eh!

Wild camping and bivvying

In June 2015 I did my first wild camp in a tent, and 1 month later I spent my first night in a bivvy bag. I became absolutely obsessed and for years spent most weekends in the UK sleeping in the mountains. I was once considered a “missing person” but I was actually just camping in the snow having a lovely time drinking champagne and eating chocolate over the Christmas period.

Do you need travel insurance in case something happens to you while adventuring in Spain? Click here.

During 2017 I planned several wild camping and bivvying events on Meetup, including an introduction for beginners, as well as some had core weekends involving long hikes or scrambles with wild camping in-between.

In Spain I have wild camped the regions of Almeria, Murcia and Alicante, as well as in The Pyrenees and The Sierra Nevada mountains. And now I am the Wild Child Costa Blanca.

Check out these awesome camping spots…

Like my look of my summer down sleeping bag? Click here.

Fell/trail running

In July 2015 I attended an event “A taste of trail running” and in May 2016 I ran the Ingleborough Marathon, raising £500 for the Cave and Rescue Service.

Since then, I´ve done a few more equally long runs, sometimes intentionally, but once because I got carried away with myself! My poor grandma sent somebody out in a car to come and “rescue” me after 28 miles, after I told her that I would run back (torchless) on the main road, bless her.

In the Costa Blanca I only run in the winter, and can happily go for hours if I am in a new area with lots of paths to explore.

Cycling

In June 2016 I got a road bike and I got really into cycling long distances up/down mountains in the UK.

In July 2017 I did my first 100-mile Sportive (although I had already cycled 100 miles before that, just for fun), and I continued to do these regularly until I moved to Spain (mainly for the food stations!)

In August 2017 a friend and I cycled across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, then in August 2018 we cycled across Majorca on holiday.

If you want to cycle the Camino de Santiago you can hire an e-bike from Porto for an easy and pleasurable ride into Santiago de Compostela.

Or if you prefer to experience the Camino de Santiago on foot, you can become a Pilgrim for a Day.

These days I cycle much less because I have taken up new hobbies and there isn´t enough time to do them all!

For example: EMBALSE AMADORIO (the Embalse Reservoir) has a nice scenic cycling route around it…

Wild Swimming

In May 2018 I attended a “Wild Swimming for Beginners” event. This was one of many water-related activities that I tried in order to try and overcome my fear of water.

I never stopped being scared of swimming in the cold dark mountain lakes of the UK, but I got braver and in the Costa Blanca I have since swum with jelly fish (on purpose) and snakes (not on purpose!)

For example: POU CLAR is a great place for wild swimming in cold, fresh, crystal-clear water…

Paddleboarding

In July 2018 I did a paddleboarding lesson and LOVED it. I was a natural, but didn´t really do it much in the UK because the water is cold there!

However, as soon as I moved to Spain, I started paddleboarding on a regular basis in the Mediterranean Sea, and I spent the summer of 2022 teaching beginners how to paddleboard in the Costa Blanca.

Cliff Jumping

This is an outdoor adventure that I have discovered in the Costa Blanca.

In November 2022 I tried Wet Canyoning (it was cold!!) and in August 2023 I tried Coasteering, both which include jumping from a height into either natural pools or into the sea.

If you want to try Coasteering in Villajoyosa, this is the trip that I did!

In summer 2024 cliff jumping returned with a vengeance! I jumped into the sea, but I also visited a number of awesome places, such as natural pools, rivers and reservoirs, which have great places to jump from as well as tree swings to play with.

For example: ANNA is a town with several opportunities for Cliff Jumping…

Via Ferrata

I recall doing at least one via ferrata in the UK as well as some similar high rope activities.

In October 2023 I hired a guide to do the Via Ferrata Bolón in Spain, and wanted more!

I found an awesome outdoor adventure group and I´ve been hanging out with them ever since.

If you want to try the Via Ferrata Bolón I definately recommend it! It is lots of fun and great for beginners with a variety of bridges and a 130 metre zipline.

Canyoning (Dry)

In December 2023 I did a course “Canyoning Skills Day” also through my outdoor adventure group, and I am gradually learning more about the ropework, etc each time we do it.

If you want to try Dry Canyoning I definately recommend the Barranc de L’ínfern where you can descend through a narrow limestone ravine surrounded by beautiful scenery.

Climbing

I did a little climbing in the UK, but only top rope climbing without learning any real skills.

From March 2024 I got into climbing big time in the Costa Blanca after hiring a guide to climb the Canelobre walls in Alicante, and was reminded about how much I loved it!

I went a bit crazy and was climbing (in the mountains and at the indoor climbing wall) up to 6 times a week!

Consequently, my level and skills now have already outweighed anything that I did before.

I bought all the gear (for now), so I am keen to get out climbing when I can.

These are just some of the outdoor activities that you will see incorporated into the Wild Child Costa Blanca blog posts.

Now that you know all about me, find out more about why I decided to write this blog here.

Luckily, my work (pet-sitting) takes me all over the Costa Blanca providing me with lots of opportunities to explore, including the lesser-known areas where I might not necessarily have thought to visit….and so, the Wild Child Costa Blanca was born.

A recent pet-sitting location was the Jalón Valley, Costa Blanca.

I stayed in one of their beautiful holiday homes and definately recommend it!

Casa Sadie and Casita Muñeca are perfectly located in a tranquil area, surrounded by mountains and wild boars that roam the forest at night. It is great whether you want relaxation or adventure. I chose adventure, of course, and you can find some of the hiking/running routes that I did here.