Continue with onX Maps
Sign in with Facebook
Climbing on Curacao
|
Hello all, It seems this island is not very well known for climbing - is anyone climbing there? I'm trying to get in touch with climbers on Curacao. Any information about climbing or bouldering locations is highly appreciated as well ! Regards Stefan |
|
When I visited a few years ago, I saw no sign of climbers or climbing but I enjoyed the hike up Mount Christoffel in the Christoffel National Park. |
|
Hello everyone! In the meantime, a lot has happened! The number of climbs on Curacao is projected to cross the 200 route threshold this year. Information about climbing routes is available online: https://www.mountainproject.com/area/116358100/curacao and https://stefaban.blogspot.com/2019/12/fort-beekenburg-climbing-area-guidebook.html.. I'm updating this page, because we frequently get visitors who want to climb on Curacao. As we are only a small community, it may be that as a visitor you miss out on the action with the locals, especially if you're visiting for a short time. Therefore, I would recommend any climber planning to visit Curacao for climbing, to post a message on this page stating:
Thanks and if you have any questions please let me know! I'm monitoring this thread. Best regards |
|
This is extremely exciting stuff, Stefan. I experienced Aruba as a solo climber this January, top rope soloing some of the Grapefield routes and checking out some random boulders. This development on Curacao is at an entirely unexpected level and has vaulted Curacao to the top of my travel list for next winter. I will try to entice a climbing partner to come with me but it is great that you are offering a means to connect with local climbers. Hope to see you in a few months! |
|
That's great Mike! Be sure to drop a line if you know further details! |
|
Is it possible to climb in late May? Temps and humidity look high. Are the north-facing crags windy enough to make it possible to climb? |
|
Yes, it's very possible to climb end of May. The north facing crags have less shadow than in the winter season, but might still have some shade at specific times of day, depending on where exactly you climb. From west to east:
(more information at stefaban.blogspot.com) When the temperatures rise, we start our morning sessions at 7 AM instead of 8; and afternoon sessions at 4 PM instead of 3. Not a problem because longer daylight helps, Especially if you bring a headlamp, because then you can climb until daylight fails without having to worry about the hike out. Hope this helps |
|
Due to the above comment, we brought our gear. The climbing at Fort Beekenburg was a tad short but was fun to combine with swimming/snorkeling. Piscadera was 3 minutes from our hotel, so we checked it out. We had to park on a local property, but she was lovely. The climbing was rustic and undocumented, but the main overhand looked incredible. I entered some additional info on MP. We rounded out the trip at Tafelberg, and we were blown away. It is a world-class climbing area and is worth flying to Curacao for. I documented info about it on the Tafelberg page. My only regret was not climbing there more. |
Stefan van der Leede wrote: Expansion or glue-in bolts? Titanium or Stainless steel? |
|
Hi John, Tafelberg, Roi Rincon and most of Seru Pretu are stainless steel expansion bolts (at Seru Pretu, we replaced some bolts with titanium glue-ins last year). Mirado, Punta Partawela, Seru Sablika, Fort Beekenburg and Kabrietenberg are all titanium glue-ins. Best regards |
Stefan van der Leede wrote: I would recommend inspecting your stainless bolts every six months or so. If they start to discolor, develop a rusty beard or spots, you should plan on replacing them with Ti asap. In Cayman we had stainless expansion bolts break in as little as 18 months.  |
|
Hello all, I’m coming end of July to Curaçao and will stay 2-6 months depending how long the project will take I’m working on. Kind regards, Yme (+31621633283) |
|
Hi Yme! I sent you an app. Cheers |
|
I have just booked my flights for a stay from January 14 to February 4. It would be great to climb with locals and anyone else planning to visit during that period. I am pretty experienced, certainly not young anymore but not completely worn out yet! Currently leading sport in the 5.10+ range. I also enjoy bouldering and trad although it doesn’t sound as if that’s on offer. I can bring any gear necessary- recommendations? I have booked an Airbnb near Willemstad but that is easily cancelled if there is a better location for access to climbing. I would prefer not to rent a vehicle, how many climbing areas are reasonably accessible by public transport? I’m not afraid of walking a few kilometres even in hot conditions. All advice and suggestions welcome! |
|
Hello Everybody, I recently moved to Curacao and want to continue with climbing. I climbed a little bit while in the Netherlands, but I am still very much a beginner. This is why I decided to do the course here as well and I want to learn how to lead-climb eventually. But it would be a pity to invest my time and money and then not have a climbing buddy. So I am looking for someone that doesn't mind climbing with a beginner and likes to climb one or two times a week for now. Maybe a little more in the furture. I have my own harnass and shoes, but I still need some more stuff. When I climbed in the Netherlands I climbed 5A and the occasional 5B. I speak Dutch, English and my Papiamentu course starts next week. My phone is +599 9 520-0746 Best regards, Maayke |
|
Hey all! I'll be visiting Curacao from November 4 to 12, and would love to go climbing there. I'll have a rope and draws with me, and a rental car. I lead up to 5C/6A depending on how brave I'm feeling, but happy to toprope harder stuff. Would love to meet up with other climbers as I'll be travelling solo! |
|
Hello everyone, My climbing partner and I are flying into Curaçao November 8-17 and we are excited to sport climb 5a-6b . We are bringing our own gear and decided to rent a car. Thanks Stefan for the info and would love to hear about any meetups for climbing, hiking, beach fun or local music spots. Thanks, Cher +1 (906) 221‑6304 on what’s app. |
|
Getting excited for my trip coming up January 14 to February 4. My accommodation booking has changed to a 2 bedroom rental unit near the Eden Mall Caracasbaaiweg. I will be looking for any available local climbing partners, but this would be a great opportunity for someone off island to come join me - you could have your own bedroom, would only have to bring personal gear, and we could share housing and transportation costs. I am very experienced, certainly not young anymore but not completely worn out yet! Currently leading sport in the 5.10 range but happy to belay a partner on harder climbs. |
Stefan van der Leede wrote: Not climbing, but the scuba diving in Bonaire is some of the best in the world. Open water cert takes a day and it’s a transcendent experience. Once you get the buoyancy down it’s like flying, and one enters the same kind of flow state when you’re sending at your limit or even soloing. I can’t recommend it enough. If you do make the plunge- go with Four Wheel Diving. |
|
Nice Thread. im gonna be from the 3 til 7 Jan. Im staying in Santa Martha and gonna visit tafel, roi and the caves for sho. |
