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Looking for climbing partners in SE Asia - Vietnam and Thailand

Original Post
mikehilbert · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 1,324

I'll be in Vietnam (Ha Long Bay/Cat Ba island) at the end of May and in southern Thailand (Krabi/Railay areas) at the end of June. I'll be backpacking around SE Asia in between so I won't be carrying much/any climbing gear, so I'm hoping to find some friends who can help me out with a harness in exchange for a belay. Let me know if you're around...I really want to climb!

Ben Broche · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 125

Spent a few weeks climbing in SE Asia in January - a couple of things:

Go to the climbing shop in Cat Ba, it's a great little community and there are always climbers hanging around (they have a partner sign-up board) and you can rent gear from the shop (including a rope).

Since it's going to be really hot in Cat Ba in May (possibly almost as hot as Krabi) I would also look into DWS trips that the shop runs...no partners needed! Temps-allowing, Butterfly valley is an amazing crag - I'd definitely encourage you to check it out.

As for Tonsai (spent a week there too), it's such a hub it should be pretty easy to find climbers, just rent a harness from Base Camp, go hang out at Chai's cafe (best coffee on the peninsula) and meet some people.

Though I have to say I preferred Cat Ba to Tonsai/Krabi, both places are great spots in their own right and totally different scenes - have fun!

mikehilbert · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 1,324

Thanks Ben! Really, Cat Ba to Tonsai? I was expecting the opposite, given the number of documented routes at Tonsai, but I'll take your advice, for sure. Love the beta hookup!

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

I am going to be in Southeast Asia from around June 5 to August 10th and plan to climb a lot. I've climbed at Railay/Tonsai multiple times in the past, as well as Crazy Horse in Northern Thailand and Batu Caves in Malaysia. I want to do some climbing in Vietnam and Laos, as well as return to Railay at some point. I will bring gear with me; if anyone wants to meet up my schedule is pretty flexible outside of a stop through Cambodia around June 27 to July 5th to meet up with a friend.

I've climbed in Malaysia and Thailand during July before and while hot still had a great time; I know it's not as ideal as January when I have also been, but still was fine by me. Anyone have any advice on Laos or Vietnam; may much difference if it is June or July, both for weather and ability to find partners when climbing alone?

John

Ben Broche · · San Francisco, CA · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 125

Just explaining Tonsai vs. Cat Ba

I'd go to both if you can, they are both great in their own very different ways.

The climbing in Tonsai is undoubtedly better but it's crowded, polished, really hot, 3X the price of Cat Ba (US$40/day for a decent bungalow w/o power or AC), everyone has food poisoning and everything smells like shit 24 hours/day...but it's beautiful, the climbing is amazing, the scene is great (albeit annoying sometimes) and a swim after climbing on Railay beach is pretty awesome!

Cat Ba on the other hand is tranquil, still feels like an emerging/developing secret spot, equally beautiful or more beautiful natural environment, the crag is in the middle of nowhere, the food is better and cheaper, a hotel with a sea view, AC and cooked to order breakfast is $8/night and a scooter is $3/day...and it feels like a truly SE Asian experience.

Do both!

alexspain · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 0

Hi guys..i'll be landing in singapore 28th of june and im planning climbing in malasya thailand and wherever in SE Asia so i'll be happy to join Any climber looking for a partner.dont have plans where or when to go so my schedule it's open
Thank youuu and see you soooon

mikehilbert · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 1,324

I'll be in tonsai (thailand) from jun26 through June 30th. I'm Hoping to deep water solo at least one day and climb at least another day with beach/island days in between. IF I climb, I'll need to borrow/rent gear as I have nothing with me...unless some kind folks would be willing to lend me an extra harness and pair of 43 climbing shoes. Does anyone know of where to rent gear in tonsai and the rates for dws trips?

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

Alex,

I'll be in Cambodia June 28-July 5th or so, but free for a mint after that. I'm considering going to Vietnam and probably back to Thailand towards the end of July and early August. I've only climbed in KL behind Batu caves in Malaysia--good climbing, just lots of sun and very hot (I climbed there in June about 4 years ago). Once you get your schedule a bit more planned out let me know.

Mike,

Send me a message to remind me to get back to you on prices; I'm in tonsai now and can go check for you.

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

Mike,

I just checked one place in tonsai for you; a day of deep water soloing and gear rental (full with rope) is about the same; $25 a day. You can rent individual pieces of gear too, but it is fairly expensive (just shoes are about $10). I'd bring shoes and a harness with you if you can and you can probably find someone else with the rest.

John

mikehilbert · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 1,324

I climbed in butterfly valley in Vietnam's Cat Ba National Park and it was pretty good. The scene was super chill with goats and farmers coming up to us between climbs. There was only one other party there. The place to get guidebook description of the routes there (you can rent it for a few bucks) is Asia Outdoors in Cat Ba town. I rented all the gear needed to climb safely for the day and it was about $37 per person. The other reasonable option is a deep water solo trip with asia outdoors for about the same price if the trip books up.

mikehilbert · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 1,324
JohnGwillim wrote:Mike, I just checked one place in tonsai for you; a day of deep water soloing and gear rental (full with rope) is about the same; $25 a day. You can rent individual pieces of gear too, but it is fairly expensive (just shoes are about $10). I'd bring shoes and a harness with you if you can and you can probably find someone else with the rest. John
Thanks for checking, John. Those prices are actually better than what I was able to get in Cat Ba Vietnam but that would make sense as there's only one outfitter in Cat Ba, while there appear to be a number in Ton Sai. Do you remember which outfitter quoted you $25 for DWS and/or gear rental?
mikehilbert · · Tucson, AZ · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 1,324
JohnGwillim wrote:Mike, I just checked one place in tonsai for you; a day of deep water soloing and gear rental (full with rope) is about the same; $25 a day. You can rent individual pieces of gear too, but it is fairly expensive (just shoes are about $10). I'd bring shoes and a harness with you if you can and you can probably find someone else with the rest. John
Thanks for checking, John. Those prices are actually better than what I was able to get in Cat Ba Vietnam but that would make sense as there's only one outfitter in Cat Ba, while there appear to be a number in Ton Sai. Do you remember which outfitter quoted you $25 for DWS and/or gear rental?
JohnGwillim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2015 · Points: 0

Those were at base camp in Tonsai. 700 THB for deep water, 800 or something to rent gear. There is another place cheat the beach, I think called the rock shop, that was giving deals to other people renting gear and seemed more flexible. Everything is usually more in Railay.

Heading to vang Vieng today if anyone sees this and wants to climb the next few days!

Camille Mitchell · · Seattle · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

I'll be around the Crazy Horse area for a week or two starting July 6 (if I can find partners!) I climb 5.10- range.

Camille Mitchell · · Seattle · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

I'll be around the Crazy Horse area for a week or two starting July 6 (if I can find partners!) I climb 5.10- range.

Camille Mitchell · · Seattle · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

I'll be around the Crazy Horse area for a week or two starting July 6 (if I can find partners!) I climb 5.10- range.

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

Camille, I could meet you there around the 17th and climb of you are still around. I think I'll be getting back from Myanmar on the 16tg and could make it up the next day; I could climb for up to a week. If you get there an no one is around and want to travel in the area first and come back to climb or are still there drop me a message, I'd love to have someone to climb with! I've got everything besides shoes for you.

John

Camille Mitchell · · Seattle · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

Yeah shoot me an email when you arrive in Chiang Mai (camillegmitchell@gmail.com). We can grab a beer and climb some rocks if I'm still around!

Kevin Huang · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

Hey guys, I'm probrably going to go climb around around Thailand in August is anyone going to be around then?

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

Camille and Kevin,

I've been in contact with Dan from above and we are planning to meet up and climb in the coming weeks. My schedule is as follows (Camille, I cut out Chiangmai Mai as of now):

Koh Tao - Approx. July 22-25. I can extend on either side, I'll be in Koh Samui and able to come over if I have a partner

Tonsai/Railay - July 29-Aug 5

Happy to meet up with you if that fits your schedule and anyone else that reaches out!

John

Cassidy Fisher · · Redmond, OR · Joined Jul 2015 · Points: 0

Camille,
I just moved to Chiang Mai for the next 3 months or so and would love to go climbing if you're still looking for a partner. I work weekdays 10-5 but am free otherwise.

Same to anyone else coming up through October!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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