Ha Long and Thanks for All the Mist

Our misty time in Ha Long Bay and on Cat Ba island was rather enjoyable.

The cold, cloudy and misty weather continued with our trip out into the bays off of the coast in North Vietnam. However, this wasn’t all bad as being too hot and protecting from sunburn is a pain. For example, it made going for a kayak and swim easier.

Our climbing excursion to (the aptly named that day) Moody Beach was also improved by the cold weather. If it’s too hot then your hands sweat and this reduces grip. Our guides (Asia Outdoors) were running low on chalk as they were shutting down.

The drizzle held off enough to get some good pitches in but it still kept the sand flies down. We tackled most of the routes at the crag and they were great fun. The 6a “Routine Heaven” was the hardest that we topped-out. The 6b+ “Barefoot Vietnamese” proved too much, particularly as the last climb of the day on an overhang with sharp holds. I got too pumped and lost a bit of skin but if you don’t fall then you’re not pushing hard enough.

It’s a shame that Asia Outdoors are closing as they were great and have been running for over ten years. It has something to do with not getting work visas approved in time and the Australian parent company (Flight Centre) not wanting to take the risk.