logistics

general

What is included in the course fee?
  • Transfers from and to Barcelona by minibus
  • Transportation in the field by 4WD
  • Field guide and course material
  • Field lunches
  • Cultural visits
  • Insurance

Hotel accommodation and dinners are not included, but reservations during course time (Saturday 19 to Tuesday 22) are undertaken by geoplay; approximate cost per day €60 to 75

Field transport and group size
  • The number of participants per course is limited to 12
  • The field vehicles are; a 5-seat Rover FreeLander and a 8-seat Toyota Land Cruiser. If required, a 9-seat minibus will be used

schedule

Where and when does the field course start?
  • The meeting point is the bar-restaurant Cullera de Boix in downtown Barcelona: 24 Ronda de Sant Pere, tel. (34) 932 681 336
  • The meeting time is Saturday 19 at 2.00pm
  • Participants may also be picked up at the airport between 2.30 and 3.00pm
  • The mobile phone of Lluís Ardèvol is (34) 658 954 650; we kindly ask that the participants provide us with their mobile phone or a contact phone number in Barcelona
  • If you plan to be picked up at the airport please provide us with your flight number and arrival time
Where and when does the field course end?
  • The field trip ends on Wednesday 23 at the meeting point in Barcelona, around 6.00-7.00pm, but requirements for those participants who need to reach the airport earlier will be attended to
Schedule, meals and cultural visits
  • Daily field work starts at 9.00am and ends around 5.30-6.00pm
  • Classroom sessions start around 6:30-7.00pm
  • Breakfasts will include coffee, tea, bread, toast, butter, jam, marmalade, cheese, and bread with tomato and ham, the traditional Catalan breakfast
  • Lunches start around 1.30pm in the field (picnics)
  • Dinners usually start around 8.30-9.00pm in the hotel or a restaurant, where Catalan cuisine can be sampled
  • There will also be opportunities to enjoy the region’s wines and various places of geologic, archaeologic and historic interest (dinosaur sites, Medieval castles, Romanesque buildings…)
Classroom sessions
  • These sessions are held later in the day after returning from the outcrops and in an informal context so that group discussion and interaction is encouraged
  • Many companies request dedicated courses for their asset staff and bring their own field data and issues to these classroom sessions for discussion, which continues at the outcrop
  • All delegates take away a copy of the session slides on CD for future reference and study

accommodation

If accommodation in Barcelona is needed, which hotel is recommended?

Other selected hotels within walking distance of the meeting point:

Which hotels are used in the field locations?

Accommodation is in selected hotels and rural guest houses:

equipment

Weather conditions and clothing
  • In June and September temperatures are reasonably warm, therefore adequate light clothing is recommended
  • Hat, sun glasses and sunscreen lotion are a must
  • Long trousers are more appropriate in areas of rough vegetation, though shorts may be worn depending on individual preference
  • In the unlikely event of rain or colder weather, a rain jacket should suffice
Field equipment
  • Walking and moderate hiking requires robust boots with non-slip soles
  • Always carry a water bottle with you
  • Please supply your own notebook, pencil, coloured pencils and hand lens. Binoculars are an option
  • As rock hammering is not authorised at some of the field locations, a hammer is not strictly necessary

safety

Safety
  • A first aid kit is carried at all times
  • Safety vests and helmets are provided
  • When hiking on scree a safe distance must be kept from each other
  • Be careful picking up loose rocks
  • Watch out for pickpockets in downtown Barcelona (Les Rambles)
  • The field locations are safe but we recommend you always carry your personal documents
  • The emergency phone number is 085