Yangshuo Day 4 - Rock Climbing

Tuesday morning we woke up early and went rock climbing. We had a choice of companies to go with and chose China Climb, because it is run by foreigners and I personally don't want to have communication problems when I am on a rock face for the first time. We had three guides, a British guy, a Chinese guy and a Canadian woman (sounds like the beginning of a joke . . .). I know nothing about rock climbing and did not realize how painful the shoes are. I never thought I wanted shoes to be too small but that's what you want with climbing shoes. If you have never been, you wear these shoes in which your toes are supposed to curl, so it's hard to tell when they are too tight because they are supposed to be too tight. Apparently it's good when on the rock. I think we all felt like we had our toes bound like they used to back in the day here in China, how appropriate.

We drove out to this location called Baby Frog and watched the British guy set up the rope in no time. The first climb was a 5.8 (I guess 5.2 is beginner? 5.8 is a little more advanced beginner). Mike went first since he has gone rock climbing before. He did a great job and made it look easier than it was. I went next and it was definitely harder than I thought. It took me a while, but I made it to the top of the first climb. After coming down you have to take your shoes off so you don't get them muddy. My toes looked like tandoori chicken! I stupidly thought it was because my feet hurt so bad that they turned this color. Later when I asked Alex why her's didn't look like that she said it was because she doesn't sweat as much, so the dye didn't come off on her feet. Foolish Ramune. Alex went next and Mike started the second climb. Alex made it almost to the top however she had not had much sleep the night before since she was also doing work while in Yangshuo. The second climb went higher up and was a level 5.9. It was easier in parts but the last 10 feet killed me. I made it within 5 feet of the top and had to come down. I had taken a while at this one part and didn't realize how late it was. I came down and then Alex start going up. She was doing well until she went too far to the left. She slipped and, like a pendulum, swung over maybe 15 feet and hit a rock that was jutting out. At this point it was time to come down. Had she not been wearing a helmet she probably would have bashed her head, but the worst she got was a couple bruises.

I think the guides were a bit disappointed in us, but whatever, I was proud that I made it as far as I did since it was my first time. I am still kicking myself for not making it to the top of the second climb but I also didn't even think I would make it that far. It's funny how half way up the first climb I was thinking, "This is not fun anymore, I want to come down, I hate this, I am not doing the next one" and then I did the next one and now I want to keep doing it and get better. Apparently there is a wall in Beijing not far from us, so I might check it out if I have time.

We went back into town and had our last meal with Mike, which included another apple crumble. We had to leave the Buffalo Bar because we had not booked the rooms for that night and they were sold out. We went to another hotel called the Magnolia which was nicer but did not have wireless.

That evening, we spent over two hours looking for a way back to Beijing. We went to two travel agents and eventually got soft sleeper tickets on a train back to Beijing the following day.