The sleepy city of Kampot, Cambodia was my first stop after the border with Vietnam. The streets around the riverfront are full of western food and English signs about tours and buses so I thought I’d explore out of town. Just as David Van Hulle did in 2013. He said “I fell in love at the spot. I envisioned not only an amazing climbing site as well as an exciting and safe way to explore these wonderful caves, accessible for everyone.” After investing in all the equipment in his home country of Belgium he was up and running within three months.
The brilliant thing about a morning with Climbodia is that you don’t actually have to be good at climbing! Anyone with reasonable fitness and a head for heights can tackle the first climb and via ferrata (traversing horizontally using a bolted cable system) before the abseil down again. My guides Heng and Song gave clear and thorough instruction.
The brilliant thing about a morning with Climbodia is that you don’t actually have to be good at climbing! Anyone with reasonable fitness and a head for heights can tackle the first climb and via ferrata (traversing horizontally using a bolted cable system) before the abseil down again. My guides Heng and Song gave clear and thorough instruction.
After a short break, Song took us in the cave and explained the history here. The sad recent past in Cambodia is never far away - the Khmer Rogue had destroyed a temple that had been made inside the cave, we could see where the steps should have been. With bats overhead and some tight squeezes through narrow gaps we went right through to the other side of the cave system. Our walk back through small farms with aubergines and morning glory growing gave us an insight into local life. Song pointed out a pool of water, “want to go swimming?” He asked with a smile before telling us that it was a bomb crater. On our return we tackled several of the marked climbing routes. Signs at the site explain the gradings and that independent climbers are welcome to use the site for a one-off $10 fee so long as all safety requirements are met. I hadn’t climbed for a while so I managed an easy route and had a few attempts at a couple of others. I could’ve stayed as long as I wanted and the guys would have belayed me. The site also manages to stay in the shade all day, if I’d had more time I would loved to have returned to build up strength over several days.
Climbodia is a great way to spend a half day and a good way to get out of Kampot and look around. The safety equipment is top-notch, the guides are funny, friendly and informed and climbing is suitable for all levels. Thanks guys for an adventurous morning.
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