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General
Over the last year or so HongKongClimbing.com has received numerous requests (either by e mail or on the forum) for information on ‘Starting Out’ rock climbing in Hong Kong.
We have therefore put together the following information with a view to giving guidance based on the best of our knowledge (and to save having to write the same response again and again!)
Beginners Courses
Whilst everything you need to learn about climbing can be taught by an experienced climber on a day out to the crag, this is a time consuming process which can place a substantial burden on the person teaching you. We would therefore recommend completing a basic training course so that the fundamentals of climbing safely are already known to you when you head outside.
At present there are three main bodies organising training course for complete novices to climbing. Details of each of the course are provided below and explanations of some of the technical terms used can be found lower down the page.
YMCA - http://www.ymcahk.org.hk
- Tel: 2782 6682 – Contact: Mr Sammy Lee
The course run by the YMCA at their outdoor climbing wall at Kings Park
– close to Jordan MTR Station – is one of the most accessible
and well set up courses for novices in Hong Kong. The course covers all
of the basic facets of climbing such as tying on, belaying and lead climbing
and once completed you are allowed access to the wall at any time within
the scheduled opening hours. The cost of the course is currently around
$270.
Hong Kong Mountaineering
Union – http://www.hkmu.org.hk - Tel: 2576 6532
This course has a similar scope to that of the YMCA but has, in the past,
suffered from lengthy waiting lists and infrequent courses. Unfortunately,
the HKMU website is not very well set up for non Chinese readers so we
are unaware of the current situation. Upon successful completion of the
course you are allowed access to the government climbing walls at Shep
Kip Mei and Shun Lee Tsuen Sport Centres, although these must be booked
in advance.
Sport Climbing Association
of Hong Kong – http://www.scahk.org/ - Tel: unknown
The SCAHK provide beginners, intermediate and advanced courses that will
teach the student almost everything they need to know to safely Sport
Climb. If opting for these courses we recommend that both the beginner
and intermediate courses are completed before you head outdoors to climb
(unless you are accompanied by an experienced climber). The courses currently
cost $150 for the beginners course and $300 for the intermediate.
Advanced Courses
More advanced climbing courses for things such as leading on natural protection (traditional climbing) or rock rescue techniques are organised by Paradigm Consultants Ltd (http://www.pci-asia.com). The courses aren't particularly cheap but the level of teaching outstanding and the staff are highly experienced.
Facets
Style
Techniques