Ko Phi-Phi & the Southern Andaman Coast - Thailand's Islands and Beaches - page 654

ledges over deep water - if you fall you will most likely just get wet, so even daring be-
ginners can give this a try.
Most climbers start off at Muay Thai Wall OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP and One, Two, Three Wall
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP , at the southern end of Hat Railay East, which have at least 40
routes graded from 4b to 8b on the French system. The mighty Thaiwand Wall OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP sits at the southern end of Hat Railay West and offers a sheer limestone cliff
with some of the most challenging climbing routes.
Other top climbs include Hidden World OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (some classic routes for
intermediate climbers), Wee's Present Wall OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (an overlooked 7c+
gem), Diamond Cave OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (another beginner-to-intermediate favourite)
and Ao Nang Tower OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP (a three-pitch climbing wall reached only by
long-tail).
The going rate for climbing courses is 800B to 1000B for a half-day and 1500B to
2000B for a full day. Private instruction runs 3000B for a half-day and 5000B for a full-
day. Three-day courses (6000B) will involve lead climbing, where you clip into bolts on
the rock face as you ascend. Experienced climbers can rent gear sets for two people from
any of the climbing schools for 800/1300B for a half/full day - the standard set consists
of a 60m rope, two climbing harnesses and climbing shoes. If you're planning to climb
independently, you're best off bringing your own gear from home; be sure to bring plenty
of slings and quickdraws, chalk (sweaty palms are inevitable in the tropics) and a small
selection of nuts and cams as backup for thinly protected routes. If you forget anything,
some climbing schools sell a small range of imported climbing gear, but they might not
have exactly what you need or the right size. A woven rattan mat (available locally for
100B to 150B) will help keep the sand out of your gear.
Several locally published books detail climbs in the area; Rock Climbing in Thailand ,
by Elke Schmitz and Wee Changrua, is one of the more complete guides. There's a simil-
ar book by a non-resident author available through traditional booksellers.

Base Camp Ton Sai
OFFLINE MAP

ROCK CLIMBING

GOOGLE MAP

8am-9:30pm) Arguably the most profes-

( 08 1149 9745; www.tonsaibasecamp.com ; Hat Ton Sai;

sional outfit in the area.

Highland Rock Climbing

ROCK CLIMBING