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Deep water soloing - Thailand |
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21-Jul-2011 12:38:08 PM
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Hi all, I'm heading deep water soloing in Thailand later this year. Was just wanting to get some tips from people who have done it before on what to take and what to expect in regards to chalk, shoes and dry sacks etc. Any thoughts??
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21-Jul-2011 1:39:16 PM
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I think you will struggle to keep your sack dry but the sea should be pretty warm so I wouldn't worry too much.
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21-Jul-2011 2:56:28 PM
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I've been to Thailand and Turkey DWSing and was remarkably suprised at how much grip my rubber had even when wet, so when I fell in I didn't worry too much about changing boots. With chalk I found that, again, I didn't really need it, it certainly wasn't the limiting factor when you start to get a bit higher of the water.
Having said that, people do take changes of boots and chalk. Many of the solos in Thailand have rope starts so you can conceivably start dry (out of the boat, off a kayak is tricky but still achievable) so you can either hang a chalk bag on the rope, collect it/chalk up on the way past or back yourself to stay dry and wear the chalk bag from the start. Obviously for dry starts you need another person to control the boat/kayak and some of the local longtail drivers may not want to/be able to get you close enough. If you must have chalk, then take many bags and only put a little in each time because ultimately, if you're pushing yourself, you're are going to get wet. And that's half the fun and excitement.
There are DWS trips every day run by the climbing companies out of places like Railay and Tonsai, but I didn't bother with them, just hired kayaks. And when you hire kayaks you can rent dry bags (and snorkels and goggles) as well.
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21-Jul-2011 2:59:56 PM
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On 21/07/2011 jkane wrote:
>I think you will struggle to keep your sack dry but the sea should be pretty
>warm so I wouldn't worry too much.
Tee hee!
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21-Jul-2011 3:48:32 PM
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The water will trash your shoes so take a few old pairs that you're not too attached to. Snorkelling gear is good to check out the depth of the water and for something fun to do when you're taking a break from climbing.
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22-Jul-2011 7:11:49 PM
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Haha, well played. Warm is always good...
Thanks for all this, planning on taking my old comfy shoes so I'm pretty prepaired to not come back with those ones. If anyones free early december and gets an urge to come to Krabi let me know, cheap holiday!
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