Rock Climbing in Krabi, Thailand: An Adventurous Journey

Directly after our spectacular two days of paddling the islands of southern Thailand, we set off for some thrilling rock climbing in Krabi, Thailand.

Krabi is renowned as one of the premier destinations globally for sport climbing. We dedicated the next three days to enhancing our climbing skills with Hot Rocks Climbing School. The leading climbing venues include Railay, Ton Sai, and Phra Nang, but in recent years, enterprises have begun offering deep water soloing in the surrounding islands, promising an adrenaline-pumping adventure.

The stunning karst formations rise dramatically from the Andaman Sea, creating an ideal haven for climbers looking for thousands of challenging bolted routes.

The Adventure Begins

Twenty years ago, we first arrived in Thailand, making a beeline for Railay in Krabi to learn climbing.

We became passionate about rock climbing and practiced for several years in Canada, even returning to Thailand for more climbing experiences. However, given our extensive travels recently, we had not been able to sustain our climbing activities. Thus, a three-day refresher course was just what we needed to regain our momentum.

Accommodating ourselves at the fabulous Ao Nang Paradise, we settled into our inviting poolside suite to relax ahead of our climbing excursion. At 8:30 am sharp, Sarah from Hot Rocks picked us up for a 15-minute longtail boat ride to Railay. Hot Rocks provides complimentary shuttle services from Ao Nang to Railay for climbers. While staying on Railay or the more budget-friendly Ton Sai Beach is recommended, many travelers prefer the more developed Ao Nang on the mainland, where a variety of accommodation and dining options are available.

Rock Climbing Course Overview

Our climbing course typically consists of:

• Refreshing our climbing skills and engaging in fun climbs on day one.
• Learning the fundamentals of lead climbing on day two.
• Conquering a multipitch route on day three.

Day 1 – Rock Climbing in Railay

We ventured to the crag where Toto evaluated our climbing abilities. Since we were already familiar with essential climbing techniques such as belaying, climbing, and securing ourselves to the rope, we quickly transitioned into climbing.

We belayed Toto as he seamlessly ascended an easy route to establish our top rope anchors. He repeated this several times throughout the morning, allowing us to undertake various climbs and reacquaint ourselves with the joy of climbing. Top-rope climbing alleviates the worry of falling; the rope is securely anchored at the top, allowing you to enjoy the climb freely.

As we immersed ourselves in climbing once more, our techniques gradually returned, but our endurance waned quickly. Rock climbing employs different muscle groups than typical activities, leading to swift fatigue in our forearms.

After a morning of climbing, we proceeded to Diamond Cave Wall after lunch, where we reviewed our lead climbing skills.

Understanding Lead Climbing

Lead climbing involves ascending a route while securing your rope to your harness. As you climb, you attach the rope to anchors positioned along the rock face. Climbers carry quick draws that connect to the bolted anchors along their route, while the belayer at the bottom ensures rope tension to prevent excessive falling.

Before long, we engaged in practice lead climbs. We practiced under a top-rope setup while simulating lead climbing by pulling up another rope. We ventured on multiple routes in this manner. Dave and I belayed on the lead climbing rope while Toto utilized the top rope. He ensured the rope remained slightly slack, allowing a realistic fall experience without the tight constraints of a top rope.

As the day neared an end at 6:00 PM, we happily concluded our first day of climbing, exhausted yet exhilarated. Climbing demands considerable energy, and rest was essential for the following day.

Note:

• A three-day climbing course costs 6000 baht – approximately $200 USD.
• Half-day and full-day courses are available starting at 1000 baht.
• Courses include gear, guidance, lessons, water, and snacks.

The Final Day of Rock Climbing

The last day of rock climbing in Railay, Thailand, reminded us of the 11 years since we first fell in love with Krabi, a place that ignited our passion for travel.

It was also the period when we first became captivated by rock climbing—a sport that we eagerly pursued for several years before diversifying our adventures, such as when we decided to cycle through Africa.

Now, returning to our roots, we were thrilled to reconnect with the vertical thrills of climbing. Our experience with Hot Rocks Climbing School has been nothing short of exhilarating.

Experiencing Rock Climbing Railay in Thailand

We enjoyed three glorious days in Southern Thailand, and as the journey ended, we were eager to return and spend an extended time exploring routes at our own pace. Following our lead climbing refresher, we felt prepared to take on new challenges.

The Beginning of the Final Day

The final day commenced in a serene manner. We chose to forgo the typical multipitch route scheduled for day three of the lead climbing course. Since we had completed it back in 2004, we opted to tackle various lead climbing routes throughout the day at a more leisurely pace.

Diamond Cave

We navigated our way to Diamond Cave, taking our time while we waited for the bustling routes to clear. Adjacent to the crag is a delightful café where coffee is meticulously ground by hand and milk is frothed with care. We settled onto a cozy cushion and enjoyed cream-filled coffees while observing climbers tackle the walls.

Feeling fully caffeinated, it was time to dive into climbing. Surprisingly, we found ourselves exceptionally comfortable on the rock. Previously, my anxiety drove me to scramble up routes quickly, but now I felt at ease, savoring every move.

Back in Canada, my nerves would heighten when leading, yet here in Thailand, I found tranquility and relished the breathtaking views.

Reflections on the Experience

Toto’s guidance proved invaluable as he shared simple techniques that made climbing more manageable. His calm demeanor instilled confidence in us. Perhaps age has also contributed to our newfound composure.

In recent years of travel, we have adopted a more relaxed outlook, allowing us to embrace the moment rather than getting bogged down by worries or distractions.

Whenever I faced uncertainty with a climbing move, I would down climb, pause, and seek alternative solutions or rest before proceeding. Previously, I would have rushed into situations without a second thought.

The stakes with lead climbing are significant; falling can mean a descent of up to 10 meters, including additional slack from the rope. In the past, this might have caused me anxiety. However, both Dave and I approached the climbs with composure.

Initially, I was the more proficient climber between us. While Dave may not have been thrilled at first about undergoing a climbing course, he ultimately enjoyed every moment.

To our amazement, he showcased remarkable improvement in climbing compared to our days of regular gym sessions and outdoor climbs.

We both felt surprisingly calm while setting up our top anchor, executing each step methodically—smoothly and control—transforming the experience into fun.

Dealing with a Swollen Ankle

Just as we were ready for a couple more climbs, I noticed my ankle had swollen to the size of a golf ball without any recollection of an incident. Without pain or memory of a bump, we concluded it was likely due to a spider bite. To be cautious, we sought out a nearby clinic on the beach.

The staff appeared unconcerned, and Toto promptly fetched ice to help alleviate the swelling. Although the situation looked alarming, I felt fine and reassured that it was not deadly.

Dave’s worries stemmed from a past experience when a minor cut developed into a severe infection during our travels in Africa. Reluctant to let him miss further climbs, we were reassured by pharmacy advice, and opted to remain, allowing him to enjoy more climbing.

While icing my foot, I observed two tiny bites, prompting me to give them a slight squeeze. Fortunately, this action reduced the swelling enough for me to venture back onto the wall for a final climb at Little Monkey Wall—a climb with an overhang, a personal favorite.

Ultimately, we successfully tackled the climb just as the day came to a close.

Our experience climbing with Hot Rocks in Railay was incredible. Dave achieved personal bests, while I rediscovered my deep-rooted love for the sport.

As we prepared to return home, we vowed to retrieve our climbing gear from storage and reignite our passion for this fantastic, lifelong hobby.