Krabi Celebrates Its Soaring Limestone Cliffs With A Rock Climbing Festival.

HEAVEN BOUND

In the heat of the midday sun, Anna Slukushicina, 30, a rock climber from St Petersburg, attempts an overhang 10 metres above Krabi’s Tonsai Bay. The prominent feature of an overhang, or layback, as climbers call it, is to oppose hand-holds with foot-holds and it’s a strenuous technique used by climbers to overcome some of the toughest spots. The crowd on the ground collectively holds their breath, clapping loudly when she finally completes the tough route. Slukushicina is one of 150 climbers participating in Krabi’s annual Rock and Fire Festival and she and her team partner take top prize, beating competitors from 14 countries in the Lead Marathon climbing contest by completing 47 out of a total 50 routes all over the Railay peninsula. Slukushicina, a rock climbing coach back home with 10 years experience to her credit, has travelled to many famous sites around the world, scaling rock faces in Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, Italy and of course, in Russia. She’s spent the last four months in Krabi and says she really appreciates the towering limestone cliffs. “This is one of the best destinations for rock climbing. Nowhere else in the world can climbers stay by the sea close to these beautiful cliffs and climb anytime they feel it,” she says.

Read more

Extreme Krabi

Deep water soloing brings a new sense of adventure to a destination noted for its beaches, caves and lagoons

For decades Krabi’s abundant natural heritage that manifests itself through gorgeous white sand beaches, soaring limestone cliffs, magnificent viewpoints, caves and lagoons have served as a powerful magnet that draws an endless stream of visitors from all over the world. Other than its enchanting beauty which is undeniably unmatched, another feature that makes Krabi stand out from other island destinations is a diverse range of activities available both on land and under water, ideal for all breeds of travellers. Lined with rugged karst cliffs and wide expanses of white powdery beaches that slope down to crystal clear sea, the Railey Peninsula is much sought by avid rock climbers. The scenic peninsula is an extension of the mainland but inaccessible by road due to Read more