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The traditional climbing exchange, jointly organized by The North Face and Black Diamond, will be held from October 26–28 in the Liming Scenic Area of Laojun Mountain National Park, Lijiang, Yunnan. This is the first domestic climbing exchange event themed around traditional climbing.
Traditional climbing is a method where climbers ascend using only their bodies without the aid of pre-fixed gear, and they place their own protection as they climb. The history of traditional climbing in China is relatively short. It relies on personal judgment to read routes, with precise movements to scale distances, making the most authentic contact with untouched cliffs.
In China, traditional climbing began to attract enthusiasts in the mid-to-late 1990s, but over the past decade, it has remained in its infancy. The growth of climbers has lagged far behind that of sport climbing and bouldering communities. This phenomenon stems mainly from three internal reasons: First, the entry barrier for equipment is relatively high. Traditional climbing is the style that impacts cliffs the least, with no pre-placed bolts or protection points, leaving no trace. All protective gear and techniques rely entirely on the climber, so the full set of equipment is indeed diverse—from various cams, carabiners, to ascenders, haul bags, and more—all quite expensive. Second, there’s a lack of guidance and interaction from experienced climbers, leaving enthusiasts to explore on their own. How to correctly and skillfully operate gear, and how to make accurate judgments and reasonable use under varied cliff conditions, are experiences that require extensive accumulation to gradually master. Exploring without guidance is difficult and fraught with safety risks, often leading to a hesitant and anxious progression. More opportunities for on-site exchanges and observation can directly boost skill levels and achieve twice the result with half the effort. Another key reason is the lack of mature, large-scale traditional climbing areas and routes in China. Although China boasts abundant cliff resources, in the early stages, cliff development and the growth of the sport have mutually constrained each other—often lacking the capacity and energy to develop cliffs, which further restricts the sport’s progress. If a significant number of high-quality routes were to emerge in concentrated areas, it would undoubtedly attract more people to experience and engage in traditional climbing, creating a positive cycle and exponential growth.
The Liming Scenic Area of Laojun Mountain features vast Danxia red sandstone big walls, currently the most suitable area in China for traditional climbing. After more than two years of hard work, The North Face and Black Diamond, together with sponsored athletes and enthusiasts, have developed over 100 high-quality traditional climbing routes in Laojun Mountain National Park, Lijiang, Yunnan, and have written detailed climbing guides. With numerous routes and comprehensive materials, climbers can fully enjoy the pleasure of traditional climbing. The gatherings and exchanges resulting from this will have even more profound impact and significance.
Aspiring traditional climbers can learn basic climbing techniques, understand the use of essential gear, and establish fundamental concepts of traditional climbing through this event. Those looking to improve their traditional climbing skills can learn from experts, enhance their climbing techniques, refine their gear usage, and gain insight into current international techniques. Registration for this traditional climbing exchange is open from August to October; the registration fee is 230 RMB. Please visit www.come2climb.cn to download the registration form.
In addition to participating in the climbing exchange, attendees can enjoy the serene scenery away from the hustle and bustle, experience Laojun Mountain’s unique red sandstone landforms, and admire the skills and presence of world-renowned climbers such as Yuji Hirayama (Hirayama Yuji), Cedar Wright, and Matt Segal. The organizers have invited partner sponsors Lijiang • Laojun Mountain National Park, Entre Prises, Vibram, MOTOROLA, and supporting sponsors SEA TO SUMMIT, BLUEWATER, Guoke Bar, SUUNTO, ISPO to prepare a detailed Liming Climbing Guide and a custom-designed T-shirt for each registered participant. Participants also have the chance to win prizes and gifts provided by supporting sponsors such as SUUNTO.
2012 Laojun Mountain Traditional Climbing Exchange
For more details, please visit:www.come2climb.cn
Sina Weibo:http://weibo.com/come2climb
Registration inquiries:
Xiaoli (Shenzhen Himalaya)
0755-82132348-614 13926532820
jessica.li@himalayagears.com.cn
Media contact:
Ma Demin (Beijing Sino Communication)
13911537453
mdm53@126.com