Laos  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  18.9453, 102.4461 Map Page Views:  12,472. Good page? (2 likes)    Administrator:  Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Ryan Kelly on Jan 13, 2010 Make this area a Favorite What's New  Printer View Add Area  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event

BETA PHOTO: Sunset over the west side of Vang Vieng with the P...

Description 

Laos, or more correctly the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, may not have the climbing reputation of its neighbor Thailand but there’s enough established terrain to lure in the traveling climber for a stopover. The country only opened their doors to tourism a little over a decade ago, and likewise the climbing culture is still young, but the potential is there to establish Laos as destination area in the climbing world. The Lao are friendly and energetic opportunists and are more than willing to invite falang onto their lands if it’ll earn them a buck – or a fraction of.

The main body of the country in the north is mountainous and perforated by limestone crags jutting out of the flat rice fields covering the valley floors. The rock is the same white limestone that you’ll find around the rest of this part of the continent; though you can find a variety of styles it’s predominantly single-pitch over-hanging sport climbing on tuffas and pockets. The biggest hindrance to the popularity climbing is the weather, which is a fair bit wetter than down south during the season (June – Sept) and closes down a lot of areas. Fortunately there’s a few established area that are climbable in the pouring rain, which makes it quite comfortable temperature-wise.

As of now (2009) there are two primary climbing areas developed, and a third that is located in a ‘special zone’ that may or may not be accessible; even so, the red-tape and hassle involved with going there may be more than most are willing to put up with. Vang Vieng is the undisputed Mecca of Laos climbing and well ahead of Luang Prabang in the maturity of the climbing scene. Perhaps ‘maturity’ is the wrong word, for although the climbing is far more developed in Vang Vieng, there’s nothing mature about the place at all.

Getting There 

The capital of Laos, Vientiane, lies on the southern border next to the Thai town Nong Khai and is easily accessible via the Northeastern Train Line from Bangkok. The overnight train is quite comfortable and will drop you off just shy of the border for $20. From Vientiane buses take off all day long for Vang Vieng (3 hours) and Luang Prabang (9 hours). Alternately, if you’re doing the climbing circuit in Thailand you can come in through the west from Chiang Mai and get to Luang Prabang, though the bus-ride in is an arduous journey.

Dangers and Annoyances 

Laos has most of the basic dangers of Thailand, so if you’ve read about them you can lose sleep over traveling to Laos as well. If you’ve been there, well, you know that if you just use your head you’ll be ok. The medical care in Laos isn’t near the quality of that in Thailand, if you are seriously hurt you should look to evacuating to Thailand.

If you’ve been traveling around S.E.A. you’ll surely note that the Lao are far more laid back than any of their neighbors. You won’t have to deal with the hagglers of Thailand and Vietnam, nor the scam artists of Cambodia. However, the Lao have begun to work on grasping the concept of capitalism, and thus the prices have been skyrocketing as the tourism grows. I usually found that the price drops almost instantly to true market value with a firm stance; take the offer once it’s fair, don’t belabor the issue trying to get another 20 cents knocked off. I’ve witnessed this on more than one occasion and it comes off as very rude and insulting.

Be wary of the Lao Lao whisky.

Seasons 

Laos has much more of a wet season than Thailand and sees considerable rain from June to September. Although there are places in Vang Vieng that are climbable in the rain your options will be more limited.

On the plus side, Laos being the only land-locked country in South East Asia, you don’t have to worry about the corroding SS bolts like in Thailand.

Accommodation, Supplies, and Climbing Needs 

Accommodation can still be found reasonably cheap in Laos. They have picked up on the rising tourism and are trying their best to capitalize on it, but they’re still a bit new to the art. I had a hotel in Luang Prabang quote me $80 US a night, so I walked across the street, down a little alley and found a nice guest house for 50,000 kip ($6). The prices are far less outrages in Vang Vieng.

Supplies can be picked up at any market store scattered across the streets. ATMs are widely accessible, however see warning in Vang Vieng section.

Green Discovery is a corporate outdoors company and will gladly take herds of noobs to the local cliff and pull them up topropes for a modest fee. They have shops in Vientiane, Vang Vieng, and Luang Prabang. In Vang Vieng, where the bulk of the climbing is located, I recommend searching out Adam’s Rock Climbing School for supplies of a guide. Adam is a climber, not just a corporate top rope, and can set you up with whatever you need.

Guidebooks 

There are electronic guides easily available on the net, most notably a three-part guide by Volker Schöffl. I'll refrain from posting links as they change often.

The Thailand Climbing Guide by Sam Lightner Jr also has a section in the back on Laos.

The best option is to just pick up a printed copy of the guide from Adam in Vang Vieng. The $5 you spend goes towards bolting.

The Classics

Featured Route For Laos

Pit Viper 5.11d  International : Asia : ... : Main Wall

Fantastic steep pocket pulling. While not exactly beta intensive, knowing where to go will save you precious time on the pump clock. The start meanders a bit, following the line of pockets to the right and then back. The direct line goes just a bit harder and probably a cleaner sequence. 5.11d +/- a letter depending on the patch you choose....[more]   Browse More Classics in International

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By AdamC From: Mazama, Washington Mar 29, 2011

Here is a free topo for all the climbing around Vang Vieng. laos-climbing.com/Adams-topo.html .Good topo that will get to all the climbing. Rent a pedal bike to get to Sleeping wall area, only about three miles north of Vang Vieng. Print out a copy before you get there as the internet is not very fast in Laos and printing something can be a pain. Great climbing hardly any crowds at the crag.

By Tanja W. Nov 23, 2012

There is a new great climbing area and a climbing camp in Laos, near to Thakhek. More information you can find here: www.greenclimbershome.com The latest guide book (from 2011) "Rock Climbing in Laos" you can buy at the Green Climbers Home or at every office of Green Discovery Laos. Bungalows at Green Climbers Home Submitted By: Tanja W. on Nov 23, 2012