Hangin' On

Trying To Get Over The Roof

It's like a summer camp for climbers with only about 10-20% of the travelers being non-climbing backpackers staying here due to it's relaxed atmosphere and cheap accommodations. The huts / bungalows have no hot water and very few have A/C. They get generator created electricity in the evening only. The small bathrooms take some getting used to, consisting of a toilet with a shower head next to it and a small sink somewhere near by. It's odd that you can accomplish all 3 S's (*hit,*hower, *have) without lifting your feet.

It's easy to find climbing partners and meet new friends. Most everyone is very approachable and many traveled here alone and are staying for a long duration.
I've hit it off with Erik, an aeronautical engineer and fellow film afficionado from Stockholm, Sweden. He's a very interesting guy! We climbed yesterday and then had some great cultural and politically driven discussion while hanging out at one of the several beach-side bars for the evening. The next day his friend Andy arrived and they were nice enough to allow me to join them even though they both climb much better than I. Once again, it was followed by a great evening of insightful chit chat and inebriation.

The climbing is everything that it's world class reputation stated it to be! The rock is limestone, providing more pockets and holds ("jugs") than typical of other stone. The many stalactites are another one of it's great scenic and climbing features.

Climbing Buddies, Erik (left) & Andy

Looking Across to Tonsai from Thaiwand Wall