Sport climbing

Rock climbing – a “must-do” in Southeast Asia! Unbelievable that rock climbing in Laos started as recently as in 2002. Laos opened their borders for tourism just in 1987. It took another 15 years that the first climbers got the permit to bolt routes. Year by year new routes have been bolted, mainly by Germans, French, Polish and Americans. Significantly involved was Green Discovery Laos who helped to get permissions and bring climbing forward. The countless Karst mountains all over Lao are inviting you to brilliant climbing on wonderful limestone with extraordinary structures and formations. Until now there are more than 600 routes in Laos, most of them in Thakhek and Vang Vieng. The climbing routes are 12m to 40m long in a range from 4 to 8c (French scale). Further, there are some unsent projects. The limestone has a very good quality and offers awesome sport climbing in varied styles: slab, vertical or overhanging; plain walls or with stalactites and tufas. So far we have 4 multi pitches, and there will be more in the future.

number of climbing routes at Green Climbers Camp

60 - 80 m Rope

15 Quickdraws

1 Helmet

1 Harness

1 Headlamp

Might be useful.

Living at the crag

Map of the climbing area and location of the camps

Bouldering

We just started to open up boulder problems around the resort Green Climbers Home. So far (May 2018) there are 73 boulders in a range from FB 4c (V1) to FB 7b (V8) and some unfinished projects. You can rent crash-pads at GCH. Further, there is a lot of opportunity to establish new boulder climbs throughout the valley. Most of the unsent climbs do not have topouts but are overhangs at the bottom of larger cliffs (too short for a sport route). Bring a brush since bouldering is not as popular as the sport climbing!

Printed Guide Book

Laos Rock Climbing Guidebook Our guidebook is your essential resource for climbing in Laos, covering key areas like Thakhek, Sala Hinboun Valley, Vang Vieng, Pha Tang, Xaysomboun, Luang Phrabang, and Nong Kiau. Key Contents: Thakhek: History, route index, climbing rules, maps, accommodation, rest day activities, and detailed topos. Other Areas: Comprehensive topos for Sala Hinboun Valley, Vang Vieng, Pha Tang, Xaysomboun, Luang Phrabang, and Nong Kiau. Practical Guides: How to use a clipstick, grade conversion chart, finding climbing partners, and health & rescue tips. This guidebook provides everything you need for a safe and enjoyable climbing experience in Laos.

Pdf Boulder Guide

Thakhek Boulder Guidebook PDF Our Thakhek Boulder Guidebook is a downloadable 17-page PDF designed to help you navigate the best bouldering spots in the area. It includes an overview map of the boulder location around Green Climbers Home as well of photod of selected boulder problems.

Download PDF

Courses

Reserve your climbing course in advance. Just write an email to courses@greenclimbershome.com with the following information:

  • When do you want to do the course? 
  • How many people will participate?
  • How much time you want to schedule: a half day, full day or 2 days?
  • Do you have climbing experience or are you a beginner?
  • Which climbing experience do you have: top rope / lead climbing / indoor climbing / rock climbing / bouldering

Just Climb (1-6 Persons)

As the headline says: don´t let it trouble you, just climb.

For the beginners: Get your first experience in the world of rock climbing. Learn the basic rock climbing techniques and challenge yourself in this exciting sport… without any risks, just climb and enjoy!

Top Rope & Belay Basics (1-6 Persons)

For those who want to climb and learn the belay technique and foundations of top rope rock climbing. Choose between: half day and full day course

Leading Course (1-4 Persons)

If you already have basic knowledge of top rope climbing and now want to start leading.

You will see that leading is a totally different kind of climbing compared to top roping. The knowledge you get grades you up to the next level of climbing. Choose

between:  1 Day or 2 Day Course

Technique Course (1-2 Persons)

For advanced climbers only. If you have experience in lead climbing and want to move better and more effective in the rock.

A climbing guide with long time experience will watch your strength and weakness and respond to you individually. You will be instructed in rock climbing technique to push your level effective one step higher. Choose between: half day and full day course.

Note: Climbing Equipment is included in all courses.

Course typeParticipantsHalf DayFull Day2 Days

Just climb or

Top Rope & Belay

1$ 55$ 96$ 185
2$ 42$ 78$ 140
3$ 32$ 53$ 100
4$ 25$ 45$ 80
5$ 23$ 40$ 70
Lead Climb1$ 102$ 185
2$ 88$ 140
3$ 72$ 100
4$ 63$ 80
Technique1$ 75$ 125
2$ 50$ 100
The unit price of these are in USD

Gear Rental

Individual prices – (USD per day)

  • Rope
    • 60m – $7.00
    • 70m – $7.50
    • 80m – $8.30
  • Harness + chalk bag (chalk not included) – $4.10
  • Quickdraws
    • x6 – $2.50
    • x12 – $5.00
  • Belay device (ATC or Jul2) – $1.50
  • Belay device (ATC Guide) – $2.50
  • Belay device (GriGri) - $5.00
  • Sling – $0.20
  • Quad anchor - $2.20
  • Locking carabiner – $0.60
  • PSA with locking carabiner - $1.00
  • Prusik with locker - $0.50
  • Climbing shoes – $5.50
  • Helmet – $1.50
  • Belay glasses - $1.50
  • Belay glasses clip on - $4.00
  • Ohm – $3.00
  • Crash pad – $7.00
  • Yoga mat - $1.00
  • Chalk (100g) – $2 (for purchase not rent)

Equipment package – $35 per day / $235 per week

  • Rope 70m
  • 2 harnesses
  • 2 chalk bags (chalk not included)
  • 12 quickdraws
  • 1 belay device
  • 2 screw carabiners
  • 2 slings
  • 2 pair of shoes
  • 2 helmets (if remaining)

Safety First

The routes are bolted with 10 mm expansion bolts. Unlike as in the sea areas in Thailand, in Laos the expansion bolts offer a high standard of security. Each anchor has two bolts that are linked with a sling. In one of the bolts is a fixed screw gate carabiner or mallion for belaying/rapelling. Some climbers haven´t seen before the anchor system that we use in Thakhek and are wondering if the sling that connects the 2 anchor bolts is sufficient. Of course it is, otherwise we wouldn´t use this system. To satisfy even the biggest doubters we tested the shock load on the sling in case a bolt fails with a massive tree. In general: Please be aware that the medical care in Laos is not like western standards! There is no ambulance that picks you up in case of an accident.

Our Anchor System

When reaching the anchor clip one quickdraw into ring. Try to avoid grabbing the rope that connects the 2 anchor bolts. Though there is no danger in grabbing it, it will help to increase life time of the anchor.

After cleaning the anchor your rope has to be threaded through the ring. If you want to top rope for a longer time, please build a top rope anchor with 2 quickdraws or a locking carabiner.

NEVER clip any gear to the anchor sling. threading the climbing rope through the anchor sling will lead failure of the anchor.