CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY
My daughter Heather works the rock face under the watchful eyes of our guides.
Those of you who like to cling to the face of a craggy rock (seeking elusive finger and toe holds among the minute cracks and fissures as you patiently work your way to the top) will be happy to know there is finally a reliable, comprehensive up-to-date website for "all things climbing" here on Okinawa: www.okinawaclimbing.com
Much like developed rock face, it's been years in the making. Thanks to dedicated climbers like Barbary Treadway and Brent Goddard the climbing environment in Okinawa has now joined the 21st Century.
Maintaining climbing routes is a constant job. Sadly, Okinawa is losing one of it's greatest climbing assets: Barb is relocating to Europe this summer.Barb and Brent were gracious enough to take my daughter and me climbing one weekend. I was on a quest for info, as a reader had just asked, "Where can I do outdoor rock climbing on island?" Totally clueless (my general mental state!) I tossed the question back at readers, which eventually led to my introduction to this dynamic duo. They don't just love climbing. They love climbing. And they are eager to introduce new climbers to the sport.
"Hiking in" to reach the climbing area - half the fun is getting to the rock!
I had no idea so much went in to rock climbing. Because of the jungle environment, clear climbable rock face doesn't just happen here in Okinawa: it has to be developed. Dedicated Climbers spend hundreds of hours clearing vines, debris, even wasp nests from the rock face. Here's what a great climbing area can look like before development (the hill in the distance):
After months of strenuous labor, the rock face is revealed. Rope anchors are then embedded in the rock for future climbers to use as a safety device.
Jonathan Goddard, an experienced teen-aged climber, scales the cliff face first. It takes a brave, skilled and courageous climber to "go first". It's this climbers job to attach the rope to an anchor at the top of the cliff, providing a safety feature for the other climbers in that day's party.
You don't have to be an experienced climber to enjoy a day spent with climbers. I could tell you about the fun we had learning to climb, show you pictures of the gorgeous views from the top, rave about the new friendships we've formed. But I'm not. Because I want you to experience it for yourself. Check out www.okinawaclimbing.com. You'll be glad you did!
Where is this location? Im interested in rock climbing and have some friends that are looking to go check out this spot. I looked on okinawa climbing website, but no info on location of this one.
Thanks
Hey Nick, sorry I didn’t see your question earlier. The site we climbed, above, is called “Lost World”.
Hello, My wife and I are both climbers and moving to Okinawa in April. We have been tossing up weather to bring all our climbing gear (cams,wires,ropes etc..) or just a few of the basics. Very happy to see theres climbing down there and I hope to meet up with you soon and get out on some steep stuff
Bring the gear in case you travel around Asia. On Okinawa, 95% of the routes are bolted.
Eman
My husband, Brent Goddard, seen in a photo with Barb, has written a book about climbing in Okinawa. He’s happy to share any info on climbing in Oki, to include directions, routes, etc…. [email protected]