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planning China climbing trip - looking for partner + tips?

Original Post
chriszz · · Raleigh, NC · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 5

Hey, you can call me Chris (female). I'm planning on going back to China next year for about 2-3 months, starting in probably April and returning in June/July. I really really want to do some climbing while I'm there, and will have the freedom/cash to go pretty much all over China.

Looking at this site , Lin'an is a definite destination for me (will be based mostly in HangZhou), but I would also love to take spend some time in YangShuo and FuZhou.

This would be my first big climbing trip, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. I'd mostly likely do sport climbing, as I've never done trad before. If there is anyone interested in joining me in China somewhere, that would be pretty sweet too! (As long as you don't mind me screening a bit beforehand to make sure you're not a murderer.)

Nate Ball · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 11,189

Hi Chris. As you've probably gathered, China is basically the wild frontier as far as climbing destinations go. Climb China is your best resource for all the smaller destinations. If you are going for sport climbing, and will be based out of Hangzhou, then Lin'an is obviously your best bet. As you may already know, the rainy season in that part of China is April-July, but if you're set on Yangshuo then there are obviously dry areas under overhangs. Destinations further afield, like Yunnan, will have better weather. I don't know anyone in or near Hangzhou, but here are a few of my connections. Look them up on Facebook, guaranteed not-murderers.

Ana Pautler, lives in Taiwan, co-authored Climb China
Michael Dobie, sponsored BD athlete traveling China, check out his blog
Andrew Hedesh, one of the main developers in Yangshuo and elsewhere
Matt Girvan, lives in Huizhou, works for Enterprise, strong sport climber

A more "shoulder season" destination in that part of the world would be my home crag of the Dragon Cave, in Taiwan. Check it out.

chriszz · · Raleigh, NC · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 5

Thanks a ton for the reply! I'm trying to ask family to contact companies in China for me for more info, but it's not going that well lol.

I might be going as early as March, I haven't bought the tickets yet. Basically, I have 3-4 months that I can spend in Asia, where the only obligation I have is a few family events before I come back to start medical school in August. I am trying to plan out a schedule that will enable me to get the most climbing, as it will likely be many years before I have another chance like this. I will be likely going to Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea during those 3 months as well. If Taiwan will be a better climbing destination during that season, I can always adjust to stay longer in Taiwan.

Nate Ball · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2010 · Points: 11,189

There is a very active community here, with both indoor and outdoor options conveniently accessible by public transport. South Korea and Japan both have great climbing as well, I've heard. You could spend three months climbing at any one destination - good luck choosing where to go.

Samizdat · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 0

Chris,

I hope I haven't emailed you too late. I am the co-author of Climb China and would like to be a resource for you in your trip across China. If you haven't already made it to Yangshuo I would suggest starting there, and meet some other climbers. From there many climbers will travel to Getu, or Liming in Yunnan. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me at info@samizdatcollective.com

Kindly,

Kevin Wojton

JohnGwillim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 0

Hi everyone,

I have been looking into Yangshuo and reading about the weather--most posts just go from winter being cold to summer being hot and rainy. What is the climbing like in early May? Would a solo climber still have a good chance of find some people to climb with that time of year?

Thanks,
John

Samizdat · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 0

Yes you would have no problem finding a partner. It will rain 4 days of the week until late May as an FYI.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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