Adventure Advisor: Taiwan, Thailand

— -- Q U E S T I O N : I am an avid rock climber and traveler. I am looking for sport climbing or bouldering in a tropical setting and have seen some amazing photos from Thailand or Taiwan, but am not sure which. — Paxton Madison, San Francisco

A N S W E R : It could have been either, actually. But if you’re looking for the type of tropical setting that includes a minimum of human company, your best bet is Taiwan.

Picture this: a sticky overhang atop a rocky beach with nothing behind you but the East China Sea and nobody crowding your routes. That’s the scene at Lungtung Cove, an easy day trip from Taipei.

To get there, take a bus to Lungtung (via Keelung) and walk back toward the tunnel. Just before you reach it you’ll see a path leading down to the beach. Follow it for 20 or 30 minutes and look for the wall on your left. It’s mostly top roping with a few multi-pitch climbs — more than enough to keep you busy for a few days. Pack in some snacks and iced green tea and you’ll have no reason to stray from that spot.

In Thailand, climbers flock to the limestone cliffs along the Krabi coast. While you won’t find solitude, hundreds upon hundreds of bolted routes with deep pockets and world-class vistas might be a worthwhile tradeoff. Certainly, worse scenarios exist than having to share an endless supply of 5.10s with a few dozen friends, especially when you get to spend your down time sprawled out on the sugary sand.

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