Rock Climbing Adventures in Thailand
Chamonix’s rock climbing is awesome, and we definitely can’t complain about life in the Dream Guides ‘office’! But sometimes you just need a little limestone jug pulling and a break from the Valley to keep your sanity intact. So, November has been dedicated to cragging, and the eternally frustrating pursuit of ‘just one more grade ... ‘
It really is hard to imagine a more perfect holiday (other than possibly heli-skiing in Alaska): Idyllic white sand beaches, beautiful turquoise sea, hot sunshine, fresh and healthy food, seriously spicy curry, and some of the most spectacular limestone cliffs to play on. Rock climbing Thai style takes some beating.
We (Guy and Steph) decided as a last minute sort-of-honeymoon to head back to Thailand for three weeks of rock, sun, sand and cragging. We’d spent 6 weeks here last year, so were torn as to whether to explore somewhere new. But then, when things are this good, why change?
Tonsai beach can only be reached by boat, and the crags are all accessible by foot. Although it’s actually part of the mainland, the beach, and its neighbouring ‘posh’ resort, Railay, feel like a remote island. Tonsai itself is a funny mix of ‘Climbing Mecca’ – populated by some of the world’s best sport climbers, and ‘Backpacker Heaven’ (Hell?) – populated by a steady stream of travellers who think they’ve found ‘The Beach’.
At 7am, beach-side activity alternates between staggering youngsters on the way home from a night of buckets and peace cake, and keen climbers on the way to work their latest project before the sun – or the problem - knocks them back. The two worlds collide – in perfect harmony – at Freedom Bar, where Tonsai Wall starts and you can belay with a beer in hand, or simply lay back and watch the sun set while the experts make 8s look easy.
The climbing in Thailand is a steep, steep jug fest. The holds are huge (at least in the grades we climb!), but the brute force required to get to them requires some serious stamina. An afternoon of battling endlessly in Wild Kingdom is enough to put us both out of action for 2 days. ‘Pumped’ takes on a whole new meaning in Thailand!
But that’s half the fun. It’s a totally different style of climbing to anything in Europe, and once you get your head (and arms) into the idea of a 3d climbing route, where even the 5s are overhanging, heel hooks are your most-used move, and you should never forget to Look Behind You! there’s no going back.
I have a funny feeling that 3 weeks is just not going to be enough ...
Rock Climbing Adventures in Thailand
Chamonix’s rock climbing is awesome, and we definitely can’t complain about life in the Dream Guides ‘office’! But sometimes you just need a little limestone jug pulling and a break from the Valley to keep your sanity intact. So, November has been dedicated to cragging, and the eternally frustrating pursuit of ‘just one more grade ... ‘
It really is hard to imagine a more perfect holiday (other than possibly heli-skiing in Alaska): Idyllic white sand beaches, beautiful turquoise sea, hot sunshine, fresh and healthy food, seriously spicy curry, and some of the most spectacular limestone cliffs to play on. Rock climbing Thai style takes some beating.
We (Guy and Steph) decided as a last minute sort-of-honeymoon to head back to Thailand for three weeks of rock, sun, sand and cragging. We’d spent 6 weeks here last year, so were torn as to whether to explore somewhere new. But then, when things are this good, why change?
Tonsai beach can only be reached by boat, and the crags are all accessible by foot. Although it’s actually part of the mainland, the beach, and its neighbouring ‘posh’ resort, Railay, feel like a remote island. Tonsai itself is a funny mix of ‘Climbing Mecca’ – populated by some of the world’s best sport climbers, and ‘Backpacker Heaven’ (Hell?) – populated by a steady stream of travellers who think they’ve found ‘The Beach’.
At 7am, beach-side activity alternates between staggering youngsters on the way home from a night of buckets and peace cake, and keen climbers on the way to work their latest project before the sun – or the problem - knocks them back. The two worlds collide – in perfect harmony – at Freedom Bar, where Tonsai Wall starts and you can belay with a beer in hand, or simply lay back and watch the sun set while the experts make 8s look easy.
The climbing in Thailand is a steep, steep jug fest. The holds are huge (at least in the grades we climb!), but the brute force required to get to them requires some serious stamina. An afternoon of battling endlessly in Wild Kingdom is enough to put us both out of action for 2 days. ‘Pumped’ takes on a whole new meaning in Thailand!
But that’s half the fun. It’s a totally different style of climbing to anything in Europe, and once you get your head (and arms) into the idea of a 3d climbing route, where even the 5s are overhanging, heel hooks are your most-used move, and you should never forget to Look Behind You! there’s no going back.
I have a funny feeling that 3 weeks is just not going to be enough ...
