logistics

general

What is included in the course fee?
  • Field guide and course material
  • Transfers from and to Barcelona by minibus
  • Transportation in the field by minibus and 4WD
  • Hotel accommodation based on single occupancy (Monday to Thursday)
  • All meals
  • Cultural visits
  • Insurance
Field transport and group size
  • The number of participants per course is limited to 12
  • The field vehicle is a 16-seat minibus and, if required, a 5-seat Rover FreeLander and a 8-seat Toyota Land Cruiser are used

schedule

Where and when does the field course start?
  • The meeting point is the restaurant Cullera de Boix in downtown Barcelona: 24 Ronda de Sant Pere, tel. (34) 932 681 336
  • The meeting time is Monday at 1.00pm
  • Participants may also be picked up at the airport between 1.30 and 2.00pm
  • 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 Friday 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 provided
  • Hammers are not strictly necessary as rock hammering is not authorised at some of the field locations

safety

  • A safety briefing presentation will be given upon arrival in hotel and prior to any field work, and all participants will be provided with the HSE for Geoplay field trips. Main topics are:
  • At least one member of the Geoplay staff has had first aid training, and a first aid kit is carried at all times
  • Field observations along road-sides are minimised
  • 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 and surroundings)
  • The field locations are safe but we recommend you always carry your personal documents