2014-03-20

Hong Kong is one of Asia’s finest climbing destinations. Here are some indoor and outdoor destinations to go climbing.

Indoors

Da Verm 

Run by experienced climbers, Da Verm is one of the few indoor climbing gyms in Hong Kong and the only one on the island with two climbing walls. Routes change monthly to keep things interesting. Packages of four classes start at $1,100 for two, or there’s a one-hour teaser class for those who aren’t quite ready to commit.

Da Verm | G/F, 419G Queen’s Road West, Sai Ying Pun |  2803 0567

Go Nature

With arguably the finest indoor bouldering wall in town, Go Nature is a popular spot with serious local climbers and a good place to look for a climbing buddy. It offers courses for children, parent-and-child ($1,400 for four 75-min sessions), plus outdoor bouldering and abseiling.

Go Nature | G/F Wing Hing Industrial Building, 14 Hing Yip Street, Kwun Tong |  3563 7156 

YMCA

The YMCA has 266 sqm of indoor climbing wall. Learn the basics of rope work and climbing techniques at indoor climbing courses for children, introductory classes for adults or through private tuition. Classes are about $600 for members or $700 for non-members, and the indoor wall is also available for private groups and parties. Try it out at the Family Fun Day on February 23 ($65 for children under 13, $80 for the over-14s).

YMCW | 41 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui |  2268 7099 

Just Climb

Just Climb offers climbing classes for children and adults, plus a choice of day, monthly and annual passes for non-coached climbing sessions ($70-$98 a day; $1,600-$3,200 a year). One-hour beginners’ classes ($198) teach basic climbing and bouldering skills. Children’s classes (ages 5-15) are $120, including a certificate at the end of the course. Shoe hire available ($40).

Just Climb | G/F, Prince Industrial Building, 706 Prince Edward Road East, San Po Kong |  3561 7868 

Rockstars

Rockstars specialises in after-school climbing for kids at Hong Kong International School’s climbing wall in Tai Tam. The sessions are open to children over five years old from any school and are available as 12-week courses ($4,500), including two weekend bouldering trips to Shek O, equipment and wall fees. Rockstars can also organise birthday parties and family climbing outings at HKIS or Shek O – a popular bouldering destination for experienced climbers – including up to two hours of climbing (from $3,000, depending on numbers and experience). For details, contact Andy Cumming at 9484 3060. 

 

Outdoors

YMCA King’s Park

The YMCA’s outdoor climbing wall at King’s Park is the biggest in Hong Kong at 18m high and 16m wide. It can host up to 30 climbers at one time on 15 different routes with varying degrees of difficulty, including some tricky overhangs. Sessions start at $70 and courses are $230-$260 an hour in English or Cantonese. Monthly passes available.

YMCA King’s Park | 22 Gascoigne Road, Yau Ma Tei (Jordan MTR) |  2782 6682 

Tung Lung Chau

Little Tung Lung Chau island is a mecca for local climbers with routes for all levels of experience. It’s a tranquil destination at the eastern entrance to Victoria Harbour reached by ferry on weekends only. On arrival, follow the signposts towards Tung Lung Fort to a large boulder atop a small hillock. Kite Rock has half a dozen short bolted routes of varying difficulty. Other popular sites (for the experienced) include Technical Wall, a 20m sea cliff, the near-vertical Sea Gully and the atmospheric, 60m Big Wall. To get there, kaito ferries leave every 90 minutes from Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter (Sai Wan Ho MTR, $40 return), or every one or two hours from Sam Ka Tsuen ($36 return). First ferries depart Saturdays 9am, Sundays and public holidays 8.30am. For timetables, click here.

Get the gear    

• Climbing shoes: shoes with special rubber soles for maximum friction are available in Mong Kok at Chamonix Alpine Equipment, Hong Kong Mountaineering Training Centre, RC Outfitters and The Overlander.

• Comfortable harness: Black Diamond & Petzl are recommended brands.

• Chalk bags: chalk keeps hands sweat free and allows better grip, especially in humid Hong Kong.

• A climbing partner: join a club.

• Know-how: click here for climbing sites and route tips.

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