Since an old friend told me about his climbing trips to Thailand it’s been one of my boxes-to-tick. Climbing by the beach and then relaxing in the blue seas sounds too good to be true. I’m about to find out - I’ve decided to do it later this year…
Photo kindly shared by HalonaCoast on Flickr
I’m planning to make the trip in November, which should be good for weather and well clear of the rainy season.
If you’ve been sport climbing in Thailand or know anyone who has, I’d really appreciate your help.
What I need to begin are 2 things:
- Recommendations for the best destination
I’m climbing 6b top-roped indoor and leading 5s at the moment, but with plenty of time to train before November I’ll like to get that into 6s. I’ve heard Krabi and Railay are two hotspots. True? - Climbing schools or centres
As I’m heading out solo I’d like to arrange a trip, an event, something to guarantee that when I get out there I can get some kit and to ensure there are belay partners around.
So - look forward to hearing from you, and I’ll keep the blog updated with the plans as they come together.
14 responses so far ↓
1 canadiankate // Aug 12, 2008 at 8:25 am
I would get your kit here. Also, find some topos on the internet so you know how long the crags are and buy the appropriate length of rope in England rather than chance it in Thailand. That also goes for quickdraws and possibly a gri gri.
Kate
2 Sara // Aug 14, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Hey - Phil… have you seen the thailand summary linked to from my recent blog post:
http://www.rockclimbergirl.com/2008/08/light-reading.html
It may not be informative at exactly the right level, but may be a start… good luck with your trip planning!
3 philsheard // Aug 14, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Kate - cheers for the advice. I’ve spotted lots of topos online already so will get busy with the printer.
Sara - awesome, cheers. It all adds up - at the moment my Thailand experience is a zero so anything helps
4 Ian // Oct 9, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I went last year for a month and it was amazing. The rock was endless and as solid as it comes. The heat was intense topping out at 115 degrees with 125% humidity… but we climbed at dawn and dusk making it bearable. Lots of multi pitch on Railay too! Did a 5 pitch route that was an amazing experience. We met a ton of people their as one entire half of the beach were climbers so I would head over to Tonsai beach (two minute walk from Railay) and just meet up with someone. One of the larger single pitch walls is right on the beach their and has shade in the late afternoon so you will have no problem meeting someone. Everyone was so laid back and things were so rediculously cheap when you got their… it’s a wonder that I actually left. Best of luck!
5 simon ramsden // Nov 1, 2008 at 1:59 pm
you might also like to have a read of our Thai climbing ezine http://www.andamanadventures.com/ezine.shtml, it includes a safety article as well as one about another new destination, Koh Yao Noi
6 Arizona Hiking and Camping // Nov 18, 2008 at 2:30 pm
Sorry I don’t have any recommendations on where to go in Thailand, but I can’t wait for the post on where you do go. Great picture, hopefully that will be you in a year!
7 Rachel Strate // May 18, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Ah, rats. I wish I would have read this prior. I had a bunch of beta plus had friends visiting during that time frame. Hope the trip was fun!
Best.
Rachel
8 Al Davidson // Jun 18, 2009 at 9:26 am
Hi Phil
We just got back from our honeymoon in Krabi, where we took advantage of the opportunity to sneak in a couple of days sport climbing on Railay. Absolutely stunning! pics are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/drsnooks/sets/72157619670417660/
I see this post is from last year - did you manage to get out there, or are you still planning it? I’m happy to give some recommendations if you need - we climb at about that same level, so just drop me a mail if I can help.
Cheers,
Al
cragwag.com
9 Gustav // Jul 20, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Hi!
I traveled to Thailand in February this year, and it was awesome.
Ton Sai Beach is the climbing mecca of Thailand. It is located outside of Krabi, between Ao Nang and Raliay. The only way to get there is to take a boat from Ao Nang. Most of the climbers stay in cheap hotels in Ton Sai, although if you want a more luxurious stay, get a hotel in Ao Nang or Railay, the boat to Ton Sai takes about 15 mins from Ao Nang and 7 from Railay.
If you bring your own gear you will definitely meet people to climb with - everyone is very friendly. At the climbing schools it is mostly beginners - backpackers that are climbing for their first times. But the guides are very professional, know the good spots, and will give you lots of tips.
You have got to try Deep Water Soloing, it might have been the best thing I did on my trip. Weis(?) climbing school in Ton Sai offer theese trips, and it was a blast. It is basically bouldering over water, and when you fall, you fall into the water.
Here are some pics from my DWS trip:
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/2298/img5650.jpg
http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/9484/img5728j.jpg
http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/8959/img5730j.jpg
http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/5012/img5733.jpg
Hope you will have a great trip!
10 Josh // May 6, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Don’t forget about the north. There is some really great climbing out of Chiang Mai. You don’t get the beaches, but you don’t have nearly the crowds, either.
11 Kyle // May 8, 2010 at 5:26 am
I’ve climbed in Krabi Thailand which was awesome. Specifically Railay Beach (Krabi is the province and Railay is kind of the town). You can only get there by boat and there are companies that take you climbing and provide all the gear you’ll need. Beautiful limestone cliffs jutting out of the ocean. Awesome scenery to look at while climbing. Tons of places to climb and some open water free climbs as well as a sweet backpacker scene with fun night life. Check it out!
12 Meredith // May 19, 2010 at 7:24 am
I went last year. There are PLENTY of belay partners, especially in Railay/tonsai (neighboring beaches). I don’t think you need to worry about that. If you want a trip specifically, there are plenty of shops that cater to climbers there.
Get your gear before you go as it is no cheaper there.
13 Kyle // Sep 26, 2010 at 3:31 pm
My wife and I spent two months in Ton Sai this past February. We logged our expenses and posted them here http://www.rollglobal.com/2010/03/budgeting-ton-sai/ Hope that helps prepare you a little more.
14 Gareth Hanson // Nov 8, 2010 at 8:06 am
Hi Phil,
Any chance you could let me know how you get on in Thailand? I’m heading out to Singapore for 3 months at the end of February next year, and plan to head up to Thailand for a spot of climbing myself.
Nice site BTW. Best of luck on reaching that elusive 7a!
Cheers, Gareth
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