Bamboo shelters and crazy horses (the name of the crag in Chang Mai)

We have crossed over into Thailand and made our way to Chang Mai in the north of the country.  This is one of the premier climbing destinations in south east Asia, and it shows.  The people who have developed this area have poured bucket loads of effort into the place.  Clear paths pick the way through the forest while beautifully illustrated signs show the way to each crag.  Bamboo shelters provide resting places and somewhere to store kit while climbing at the bottom of each cliff face. And the climbing itself is beautiful.

Verony enjoys the climbing at Chang Mai

There is quite a range to choose from – long easy slabs; short, pumpy routes; technical, crimpy walls; and multipitches inside a massive cave.  We spent more than a week here exploring the different areas. There are dozens and while we were there we heard of more being developed.
It was a place where everyone managed to push their grades. If we had been able to get more sleep at nights, we probably could have done even more.  Unfortunately, we had to share our campsite with around 300 Thai boy and girl scouts who were woken at 5am by loud whistling and a man shouting into a microphone.

Danny commits to the dyno at the Anthill

The late night come-by-yah around the bonfire, however, was a riot.  All the troops took a part while the scout leader sang into the microphone, pointing at each of the troops in turn when it came to their part in the sing along.  It seemed that one group of girls had the job of simply screaming at the top of their lungs.
Still, I am climbing more confidently at the end of Chang Mai thanks to the style of climbing here.  It is limestone sport climbing at its very best. Compared to other destinations in Thailand, this area does not suffer from the problem of polish that afflicts many.  As the traffic on the routes and popularity of this area increases, however, this may change.

Verony enjoys the climbing at Chang Mai

Danny topping out at Anthill

Danny commits to the dyno at the Anthill

Alice on a lovely route at the Furnace

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