Khonquering heights
December 20, 2016
Im writing this as I’m waiting for my flight to Bangkok. My Khon Kaen trip with the NUS team is just over, and I’m headed off to meet Puntarika (Mean) before we go to Thakhek to lead climb. Shes going to train with her coach, I’m just going so I get to climb with my good friend. :)
I just had a rather fulfilling day of climbing. Came to the airport straight from the boulders. #dirtbaglife
I spent 5 climbing days at the Nam Phog National Park with the team, had 2 massages, drank coke everyday, ate mango sticky rice and ate onigiri for lunch at the boulders. I managed to FA 2 new lines: “All Alone” V8 and “Agriculture” V6. Agriculture was an inside joke, and All Alone was named as such because I went to work on the route alone once, and managed to pass the crux. It was quite a calming feeling, with one crash mat and trying to video myself without a tripod. Lol.
My first climbing day, I cleared some of the classic routes like Pinker Tips V6 and the big dyno on Happy Buddha V8 and was pretty bumped out and sian that there werent anything obviously challenging haha. I know, not such a good mentality. But im proud to say that it changed over the days. The NUS club were here in Khon Kaen too, and they helped cleared the overgrowth, which helped identifying boulders and working on new routes easier.
I spent 5 climbing days at the Nam Phog National Park with the team, had 2 massages, drank coke everyday, ate mango sticky rice and ate onigiri for lunch at the boulders. I managed to FA 2 new lines: “All Alone” V8 and “Agriculture” V6. Agriculture was an inside joke, and All Alone was named as such because I went to work on the route alone once, and managed to pass the crux. It was quite a calming feeling, with one crash mat and trying to video myself without a tripod. Lol.
My first climbing day, I cleared some of the classic routes like Pinker Tips V6 and the big dyno on Happy Buddha V8 and was pretty bumped out and sian that there werent anything obviously challenging haha. I know, not such a good mentality. But im proud to say that it changed over the days. The NUS club were here in Khon Kaen too, and they helped cleared the overgrowth, which helped identifying boulders and working on new routes easier.
As the days went by, it got pretty satisfactory just climbing on the simple boulders. The rock here is good, not too sharp on some, and solid. Some of the moves were really interesting. Like a big side dyno moving into the press up mantle. Totally my anti-style, but I did it anyway because I knew it would help me become more versatile. There was also huge huecos and shit crimps.
After about 6 boulder trips, starting from 2011, I finally understand my style. The types of routes that I know I’m good at. The flat, shit crimps and invisible footholds. Stained Glass in Bishop was a clear sign. Haha.
Anyways, I worked with a group of guys on some of the problems here and it was super funny and enjoyable to have them around. They were full of psych and noise, and I was used to working on routes on my own. Both still worked for me somehow haha. I was just glad I could join this family to go on a climbing trip. Much need crash mats haha.
Khon Kaen left an impression in me, and I really hope I can come back here again. Theres a festival in January and Gavriel is already waiting for Liting. I told him to show her roof routes haha.
Till the next team trip! Wonder where they will go to next. :)
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