Author |
|
30-Sep-2008 9:51:52 AM
|
hey there heading to thailand in feb ( Ton Sai and Rai leh) for two weeks of climbing. Anyone have any advice or experiences they can share? What gear do we need to bring and what can we buy there? Any help would be fantastic
thanks heaps
|
30-Sep-2008 10:10:24 AM
|
I would be reluctant to hire gear over there. I would be taking Harness, shoes, lots of chalk, 15 Draws and a 60m rope. Get Sam Lightners guide (The green bible) and you cant go wrong with choice of routes.
|
30-Sep-2008 10:34:33 AM
|
Although I thought the grade table in the Green Bible was a couple of grades out, best take them with a pinch of salt.
Simon
|
30-Sep-2008 10:49:25 AM
|
Take all your own gear,don'tworry about a rack, just 15 or so draws will suffice, and make sure you take shoes that can deal with small pockets, vertical smearing (i.e. stalactites and the like) and loads of heel hooking. A single 60 is good, take some long slings and single gates for slinging stuff and make sure you take a pair of 3/4 climbing pants for knee-barring etc.Buy one of those colourful mats as a rope bag and don't leave your wallet and important stuff in your hotel room, take it with you! IMO the VIP buses are the best way to get from Bangkok to Krabi, they're actually cheaper and faster than local transport. Oh and take loads and loads of good (e.g. Metolious) chalk!!! Also, you can buy this awesome mosquito repellant made from citronella which works better than anything else I've come across. Good stuff!
|
30-Sep-2008 10:59:17 AM
|
When you get there, if flying in to Krabi Airport, go directly to Ao Nang and catch the boat to Ton Sai
from there, don't catch it from Krabi, this will save you a lot of walking, especially if its low tide.
Cash up with plenty of bhat and do all your shopping in Ao Nang for sundry items like food, citronella
oil mosquito repellent, and joss (incense) to ward of mossi's when climbing in the jungle crags, when in
Ton Sai buy water by the big 20 litre bottles, and fill what you need daily into a smaller day bottle or
camel back, way cheaper and less polluting, as big bottles are recycled rather than thrown away onto
a rubbish heap like smaller bottles.
rope bags are essential for keeping the shit out of your ropes when on the beach, or in the jungle.
Have fun it's a great place to climb, good rest day fun snorkelling or sea kiaking, check out the
butterfly farm in Ao Nang, and some Thai boxing or snake shows as well, pretty entertaining stuff.
Agree about the holiday grading system, everything will seem easy compared with home.
Check the biners that you rap off the anchors with, some of them are completely worn out by all the
sand running through them day after day! maybe bring some cheap replacement biners incase. BP
|
30-Sep-2008 12:18:21 PM
|
Make sure you can always hear Bob Marley, otherwise you have walked too far.
|
30-Sep-2008 2:17:14 PM
|
If you're after easier grades and sick of queueing up at One-Two-Three area and Groove Tube all day, head over to Phi Phi for a couple of days. Some classics (esp two to four pitch routes) there and never too crowded with climbers.
|
30-Sep-2008 2:49:45 PM
|
A 60 or 70metre rope, 15 or so quickdraws. Buy standard meds before you get there (belly, pain killers etc). Insect repellant is key. and stock up on a few goods before going as mini mart prices are double mainland prices in Tonsai.
If you want cheap accomo, Krabi mountain view hire out tents in there old restaurant for 100 baht per nite with shared facilities, which is in a good spot and cheaper and less of a trek that the 150 baht huts up the hill.
And make sure you sign up for on of Wees deep water solo trips!
|
30-Sep-2008 3:56:54 PM
|
Hey guys,
Just got back from there in August.
Bus - Krabi from Bangkok: No way, did it once, takes 10-12 hours. Yes its cheaper but seriously, thats a whole day wasted
Accomodation: Stayed two resorts in Railay - Diamond Cave Bungalows and Ya Ya Resort. Preferred Ya Ya as middle of Railay, can walk everywhere, pretty cheap and has air con and HBO and power all day.
On Tonsai stay at Wees, little bunglows but need mozzie net.. No power from 3am - 6pmish...
And their is a new guide available at Wee's which has all the rebolting info updated. As above, do the DWS trip! I packed myself!
|
30-Sep-2008 4:59:14 PM
|
Try not too take your best draws mine came back a bit worse for wear from all the salt and sand even though i did my best too keep them clean. Most important tip is too drink water and keep drinking until it feels stupid and that will probably be about the right amount. ANd definantley fly to Krabi i was with Jimbo and the Bus sucks the big one
|