Climbing in Vietnam: A new climbing frontier in South East Asia…

Have you ever heard about Cat Ba? Huu Lung? Quoc Hoai? Mai Chau? Not yet? Well, you better start having a look on Google map then!

For many years Vietnam has been associated with a terrible conflict that notoriously brought the name of this nation all over the media around the globe. However, after the end of the American War in April 1975 this amazing country has been protagonist of large series of dramatic changes. From the application of the Doi Moi in 1986 onward and in particular over the very last decade, its economic growth has pushed forward the resurrection of this country in all the possible direction, including of course Rock Climbing!

Climbing in Phuket: after work climbing session in Kata...

Despite the lack of a proper Climbing Gym in Phuket, as we can see the Phuket Climbing Community is growing fast, both because local climbers are popping up like mushrooms both because new friends are approaching this amazing community.

As always everybody is welcome to join our Thursday Evening After Work Climbing Session...the boulder wall is small and it's perfect for beginners to learn some basic movements, however I can guarantee it can be tough enough also for more experienced climbers!

If you are a regular climber do not forget to bring your shoes and chalk with you. If you have any secondhand old shoes...bring them as well, maybe someone else can use them!

If you are a beginner, no worries, just come and have fun! We will take care of you! 

Check our latest PICTURES and join our growing 

Phuket Climbing Community!

Climbing Session in Phuket are free and open to everybody every Thursday from 7h00pm in Soi 7 Patak Road Kata Karon, Phuket!

Climbing in Phuket: The blog on Phuket Gazette...

Click HERE to see the online version on, or click on the picture below to read the paper version!

Climbing in Southern Thailand: The Raining season has started…

Climbing in Southern Thailand represents for many climbers the perfect match to escape from cold winters, climb along enchanting coastlines and enjoy water activity such snorkeling and diving.

Climbing in Railay Beach in particular it’s probably the perfect match for all those who want to have a proper nice exotic holiday with all the comfort such nice accommodation and a variety of food and at the same time do not renounce to climb the whole day moving from a crag to another within walking distance.

The best season for Climbing in Southern Thailand is surely from November to April that is officially the dry season and the possibilities of rainfalls are very scarce.

On the other side this period of the year is generally characterized by higher prices and terribly crowded crags, in particular for climbers leading below 7a grades.

Raining season officially starts in May and last till October. This is probably not the best period to plan a Climbing Trip in Southern Thailand however it doesn’t necessary mean that you will be stuck under the rain for the whole day.

During the last month I went to climb in Koh Phi Phi during the weekend and I got one full day of sunshine and one half day of rain while the very last week I went to climb in Railay Beach for 4 days and we got only one afternoon of heavy rain that didn't allow us to climb at all, and one morning of on/off light rain that didn't really bother us.

Obviously considering that I am based in Phuket this is not a big deal for me, however I am conscious that if you are travelling from oversea having too many days of rain might piss you off.

Nevertheless, if you plan to stay no less than a week at the same spot you can be sure that the weather will not affect your holidays that much.

Koh Phi Phi, Tonsai, Railay and Ao Nang offer valid alternative to fill in the raining days and easily get ready to climb as soon as the rains stop. On the other hand, if you plan a Climbing Trip in Koh Yao Noi be aware that the road condition might be critic. In this case I suggest you to reach the spot by long tail boat.

All in all do not forget to check the Thai Meteorological Department and always have a poncho in your climbing bag.

Thanh Ha on the first pitch of The Lord of the Thais 6a+, Thaiwand Wall, Railay East

Eric on Scenic Bulimic, 6a - Tonsai Tower, Koh Phi Phi

Riccardo on his on-sight attempt of Up to You, 7b at Phra Nang Cave, Phra Nang Beach Railay

Supranee May on Pai Noon Mai, 5c - Tonsai Tower, Koh Phi Phi

Climbing in Railay: back to the Mecca…

I came back from Railay yesterday evening. My hands are painful, my arms are still pumped but if I close my eyes I can clearly visualize all the movements of those amazing lines and be ready to climb them again straight away!

I arrived in Tonsai beach on Wednesday afternoon to join my friends Caroline, Ben and Trang coming directly from Vietnam, members of the well-known VietClimb community and we basically climbed like crazy every day from the morning till the evening.

We found accommodation at Railay Garden View Resort on Railay East, a very nice bungalows complex immerse in a nice garden far from the noisy bars. Price was reasonable 600baht/night but make sure you book in advance.

We sent routes all around Fire Wall, Wee’s Present Wall, Escher Wall, Diamond Cave, Pranang Beach, 123 Wall and Muai Thai Wall…even though in my previous post I discouraged these last two crags, I must admit that in fact those two walls have very nice lines! Fortunately not so many climbing schools were operating due to the low season.

Among all the beautiful lines we climbed I would like to suggest:

• Muai Thai – 6b+ at Muai Thai Wall, the first route of the crag
• Ling Rong Hei (Monkey Crying) – 6b+ at Wee’s Present Wall, a beautiful line with a surprise at the end
• Best Route in Minnesota – 6c at Escher World, an infinite vertical black wall inside the cave
• Don’t Grab the Krabi – 7a+ at Escher World, a short line with a violent boulder on the last 4 meters
• Don’t buy toys – 7a+ at Pranang Beach, an overhanging tufa ending on a flat micro feet session. 

By the way do not miss the very nice hike from Thaiwand wall to Escher Wall passing through the cave climbing Twenty Kilos of Steel! Bring a torch and enjoy the priceless view!

 Riccardo clipping before the crux of Don’t Grab the Krabi – 7a+ Escher World, Railay West

Ben cleaning Best Route in Minnesota – 6c at Escher World, Railay West

Priceless view of Railay West and Tonsai Beach from the top of Twenty Kilos of Steel at Thaiwand Wall

If you want to see more pictures check my Facebook page

Climbing in Koh Yao Noi: back again...

Climbing in Koh Yao Noi is definitely becoming a weekend routine now!

We went there during Songkran holiday together with our friends Eric and Jenny and we came back again last Saturday evening to spend a full Sunday of climbing together with Minx and Kafill.

During the last two trips we have extensively climbed at the Bee Wall which has shown to be great even under heavy rains, the Dump Wall where we climbed an amazing 6b+ characterized by two huge stalactites, and spent long afternoons at the HD Wall which stay on shade from 12am on ward and it’s easily reachable walking till the end of the beach, tide permitting.

I would like to report also the presence of a very inspiring boulder right on the middle of the beach. I saw that rock before but I never understood its line until yesterday after having noticed some marks of chalk on it I have started figuring out some movements.

Here below a short video and some pictures. 

Eric on the good holds of Leaping Lizard 6b at Bee Wall, Koh Yao Noi

Riccardo on the crux of Golden Flakes 6c at Bee Wall, Koh Yao Noi

Supranee May on the red holds of HD Wall 5b, Koh Yao noi