Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos

Hi all!
I'll be in SE Asia for most of December and January and have a guide book for Vietnam. Let me know if you're interested in roping up!

I'll be bouncing around all of Dec, Jan, and March!

DMed! 

In flying into Thailand mid January and I'll also be around until late March.  Traveling solo for most of it but I'll have gear with me

I think I'll be back state-side by then, but I hope you have a good trip!

I'll be in SEA for December and January as well. Flying in and out of Hanoi, and will be bouncing around from there

Awesome! At the moment I am looking Cat Ba the second week of December. Any interest in meeting up there?

Anyone need a partner in thakhek, Laos?

Has anyone gone by bus from Vietnam to Thakek recently? Looking for bus info from Hue, Vietnam crossing at the Lao Bao border. Any info would be lovely! We’ll be at the Green Climbers Home the first 2 weeks of January!

Does anyone have advice on the best way to get around to the various crags at Cat Ba?  Will be there the second week of January and wondering if renting a motorbike is the way to go or is it possible to hire a ride to and from the crags?  Thanks in advance.  

Renting a motorbike is by far the easiest and most convenient option for getting to the crags on the island. They're about $4 a day and can be rented outside any hotel or from any garage you see. 

Alex R - thanks for the info!

Looking to be in the area of Thailand or Laos by mid month. Would love to connect with folks as I’m traveling solo.

cheers!

I'll be around toward the end of the month.  Arriving in railay around the 24th. I'll have my whole kit with me if you're around

Hey! I will be around Thailand Vietnam and Cambodia in February. 

Has anyone climbed at Hidden Valley on Cat Ba lately? I was told there are some access issues or issues with bolt replacement.  Is that correct? Thx

I would email Cat Ba Climbing. They'll have the most up-to-date information. 

pzmanwrote:

Has anyone climbed at Hidden Valley on Cat Ba lately? I was told there are some access issues or issues with bolt replacement.  Is that correct? Thx

We climbed in Hidden Valley in November. The only "access issue" was a woman running after us as we approached in the farm field asking for money. Apparently, it's her land you cross to get there. I forget exactly how much we gave her for both of us. The guidebook mentions getting a climbing pass from Asia Outdoors or Langur's Adventures, but that shop failed during covid, so there's no longer any such requirement.

There were definitely some sketchy bolts at Hidden Valley, including some that were rusted and others that had been pulled. But there were also routes that appeared to have recently been rebolted and we proceeded to whip all over those bad boys. The quality of the climbing was very high IMO. Don't forget your bug spray!

Example bad bolt from Gingerbread Man (10b, right side of the wall, I'd recommend avoiding this one):

Andrewski Ackermanwrote:

In flying into Thailand mid January and I'll also be around until late March.  Traveling solo for most of it but I'll have gear with me

Hello! fellow solo traveler here - I'll be arriving in Hanoi on Feb 23 and looking to hit up thakhek Laos during the end of Feb - early March, and then was looking to maybe hit up northern Thailand and then make my way south through the country during the remainder of march (though I haven't made any concrete plans). I'll have draws/rope as well, let me know if you wanna try to link up and climb! - etaylorlash@gmail.com