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St. Maarten/St. Martin
International
> N America
Description
St. Martin is an island in the Carribean split by the Dutch (Sint Maarten) and the French (Saint Martin). The south half of the island is Dutch, while the North half is French. The main towns are Philipsburg (Dutch) and Marigot (French). This is a fairly popular spot for tourists, especially as a cruise ship stop. If you happen to be a cruiser stopping here, bring your bouldering shoes and a chalk bag.
While this probably isn't a climbing destination, I've heard there are some routes on the island. There are certainly boulders to explore. If you know of any longer routes, post'em up!
[Hide Photo] This is me falling, right at the base of the big face at pointe blanche. The swing from this spot is intense, the start is just below my feet, and you basically work your way up the overhang onto t…
[Hide Photo] Another shot taken at the Oyster pond boulder.
[Hide Photo] This is another boulder at the top of Oyster pond. It has several route possibilities and nice flat area around it. Nothing spectacularly hard has been established....yet.
[Hide Comment] I spent several months on St. Martin and explored several crags on the Dutch side. There was some definite potential on the sharp limestone but no sign of any route development.
Oct 20, 2008
[Hide Comment] I lived on SXM for several years, there is one bolted route on the French side, approx 40 ft tall, probably only a 5.8, but with great views and good exposure. Its alongside the road that runs to the top of Pic Paradis. You sort of have to walk through the bush to get there, we used to maintain the trail but it's most likely overgrown by now. Its approx half a mile from the top, on your left as you're driving up, you can see the crag sticking out above the tree's on your way up. You park at one of the pull off areas slightly above the trailhead. Watch out for Hornets! We used to bring hornet spray and the FA of the day would climb with the spray to clear out the holes. The bolts are pretty new and in great condition. Bring about 7 quickdraws.
Mar 29, 2010
[Hide Comment] There is also a great little climb at the top of Pelican, just underneath the water-tower. You drive up the hill and park in the dirt nextto the water tower, then walk down and around as if you were going to look at the lagoon. Its a steep overhanging crag that has a few route possibilities. We only used to top-rope it, there is a wooden post and a few good rocks to triangulate off of at the top. There's a crack approach, approx 5.9, and some more direct routes that are 5.9 plus. Its an awesome quick setup and climb kinda place, perfect for an after work session. Since the Simpson Bay lights shine up onto the face its really good for evening/night climbs too. I've got pics from our climbing days, will have to get them off the hard drive and stick them up here. There is one pic here zazzle.com/taoowl from a t-shirt we had made. The pic is taken at night at the Pelican spot. You'll need some fairly long slings (approx 2x 15 ft) to set up the top rope. There were sometimes hornets here too.
Mar 29, 2010
[Hide Comment] Another good spot, without doubt the best place we climbed on SXM is at Pointe Blanche. You can't miss the cliff when you drive up to the little rock beach at Pointe Blanche. Drive up the road that appears to wind up to the top, but park as directly below the cliff face as you can. There is a little pull off zone on a hairpin bend if I remember correctly. There are several top-rope anchors (double bolts) at the top of the cliff, some are a little rusty, but we replaced what we could. There are also loads of tree's and large rocks to set up top-ropes from. There is an insane offwidth, got to be 5.11 plus, over to the edge of the crag away from the ocean. There are chains at the top. To get to the top you basically scramble up the ocean side of the cliff, follow the bottom of the crag around until you see an easy enough scramble, no ropes required. Then go up to the top and make your way along the edge looking for the bolts. The newest bolts up there are above the largest and most overhanging face on the cliff. This area is yet to be finished. We've made it up about half way and run out of steam, so would be awesome to hear of someone climbing that! There are some very cool beginner routes around the ocean side, nice exposure but all around 5.7. The rocks are a little sharp, but usually clean and not very brittle at all. We cleared away most of the loose junk but its likely there will be new loose bits here and there, so rappel down first to have a look.
You'll need a few slings, 2 quickdraws, or a few carabiners and chalk.
Expect: edging, some hornets (not usually too many but bring some spray) the offwidth has some mammoth smearing sections. If you fall early there is a good chance you will swing into the nearby bushes, so be mindful when belaying to get your partner down quickly.
The face is approx 60ft at its highest and offers some pretty amazing views. I'll post pics when I get a chance.
Mar 29, 2010
Im keen to get out and do some climbing on the island. I dont have any gear with me though (can probably borrow a harness from work mind). anybody on the island want a partner to go climbing with? or is there a good place to buy/rent some gear around, i'm going to assume it will have to be shipped in?
[Hide Comment] I just got back from ST. Martin and went DWS. On the Dutch side when you fly in you can see on the left two caves that are on the sea cliff side. I went and explored these caves the water was deep and it was right off of the airplane beach were people watch the planes land. The DWS is two caves and very sharp rock lots of potential for over hanging routes. the major cave that looked appealing was the cave that had a fence on top with a hotel right over the cave as well.
Jun 3, 2012
[Hide Comment] My girlfriend and I will be in St Martin Jan 17-24th - if anyone knows the areas to DWS solo in or wants to join, climb and explore, we are VERY interested!
Dec 4, 2014
[Hide Comment] Hello everyone im Walter i just sign in, i live in sxm for 10 years and i just discover that climbing is possible, there is anyone that like to go, any of those days, before the 6 of september? Please this is my phone n 5230280 just call and we set up a trip, i do not climb for a long time so i dont know wath my level is now, but im Trilling to try again,,,thanks Peace....
Sep 2, 2015
[Hide Comment] Hi guys, I used to climb with Walter (see his comment below), but am looking for a new climbing buddy on SXM after his leave. Let me know if you can.
[Hide Comment] I'm headed to St. Maarten on 2/9/19 and will be there 'til 2/16/19. I'm very interested in seeing the rock that's around and if there's anyone in the area that wants to climb and explore, I'm down! I'll bring basic gear and plan to boulder, but am certainly interested in climbing walls if I can find a buddy. Whatsapp 907-406-0041
Feb 3, 2019
Too bad, I didnt read your comment earlier, because I would have loved to boulder or climb with you. Don't hesitate to let me know if you are on the island again.
[Hide Comment] I’ll be on vacation starting Nov. 2nd. I’ll be bringing my climbing shoes with me just incase I find anything good to climb. Unfortunately I wont have any other gear with me, so I’m hoping to get suggestions for some good climbs.
Oct 26, 2019
[Hide Comment] Im planning to be on the island March 8th 2020 for 5-6 days. Anyone want to get out and climb? I'd prefer to use ropes, but won't be able to bring my own.
Nov 19, 2019
[Hide Comment] I will be on the island in just over a week. I want to do some top rope climbing. Some of the comments are unclear, I am not sure if there are bolted anchors or if slinging trees/rock is the only option. If anyone has beta on setting up top rope I would appreciate it, thanks!
Nov 21, 2019
[Hide Comment] Hi Bryan, As far as I know none of the routes on SXM have anchors. We used to put a chain around a rock to be able to top rope.
Nov 30, 2019
[Hide Comment] I am on the island since last January and I am keen to get out climbing. if anyone wants to be a bubby or spotter get in touch
Feb 11, 2020
[Hide Comment] Hey there! Me and my friend will be there around christmas, are there any nice areas to go and where can i find a topo/adress to go to? We dont need a guide
Nov 6, 2021
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Portland, OR
Its an awesome quick setup and climb kinda place, perfect for an after work session. Since the Simpson Bay lights shine up onto the face its really good for evening/night climbs too.
I've got pics from our climbing days, will have to get them off the hard drive and stick them up here. There is one pic here zazzle.com/taoowl from a t-shirt we had made. The pic is taken at night at the Pelican spot.
You'll need some fairly long slings (approx 2x 15 ft) to set up the top rope. There were sometimes hornets here too. Mar 29, 2010
There are several top-rope anchors (double bolts) at the top of the cliff, some are a little rusty, but we replaced what we could.
There are also loads of tree's and large rocks to set up top-ropes from.
There is an insane offwidth, got to be 5.11 plus, over to the edge of the crag away from the ocean. There are chains at the top.
To get to the top you basically scramble up the ocean side of the cliff, follow the bottom of the crag around until you see an easy enough scramble, no ropes required. Then go up to the top and make your way along the edge looking for the bolts.
The newest bolts up there are above the largest and most overhanging face on the cliff. This area is yet to be finished. We've made it up about half way and run out of steam, so would be awesome to hear of someone climbing that!
There are some very cool beginner routes around the ocean side, nice exposure but all around 5.7. The rocks are a little sharp, but usually clean and not very brittle at all. We cleared away most of the loose junk but its likely there will be new loose bits here and there, so rappel down first to have a look.
You'll need a few slings, 2 quickdraws, or a few carabiners and chalk.
Expect: edging, some hornets (not usually too many but bring some spray) the offwidth has some mammoth smearing sections. If you fall early there is a good chance you will swing into the nearby bushes, so be mindful when belaying to get your partner down quickly.
The face is approx 60ft at its highest and offers some pretty amazing views.
I'll post pics when I get a chance. Mar 29, 2010
Im keen to get out and do some climbing on the island. I dont have any gear with me though (can probably borrow a harness from work mind). anybody on the island want a partner to go climbing with? or is there a good place to buy/rent some gear around, i'm going to assume it will have to be shipped in?
Cheers
Will Feb 20, 2011
Honolulu, Hawaii
Las vegas
Saint Martin
I used to climb with Walter (see his comment below), but am looking for a new climbing buddy on SXM after his leave. Let me know if you can.
Cheers,
Gerben Dec 17, 2017
Juneau, AK
Saint Martin
Too bad, I didnt read your comment earlier, because I would have loved to boulder or climb with you. Don't hesitate to let me know if you are on the island again.
Cheers,
Gerben Mar 9, 2019
Maine
Saint Martin
Plymouth
Rochester, MI