Kelvin goes to Milan

My abseil buddy Kelvin is finally on his way to Milan to pusue his Masters in Product Design. Guess that we will have lesser abseiling sessions without him.

All the best pal, see you next year.

Asian Youth Championship Reflections

We made history by becoming the first nation in the world to organise the boulder discipline in the youth championship. The boulder discipline was included after the Federation were unable to secure a suitable wall for the Lead discipline. What followed was a series of uncertainty and challenges (how to squeeze 6 categories into 2 days, insufficient logistics and manpower, hunting for a new Chief Routesetter. A big thanks to the following people who has turned a chaotic youth championship into one of the greatest learning experience in the history of competition climbing

Kim Dong Hyun - AYC Chief Routesetter
The only routesetter in the AYC, Kim need to set about 30 boulder problems for the competitors, Despite several limitations (restricted competition area, insufficient time routesetting time, not enough landing mattress, etc), Kim was able to split the competitors which the boulders he set.

Sammy Yick - AYC Jury President
Sammy role as a Jury President (for the very first time) here was a challenging one. He needs to ensure the the competition commences despite the limitations while not compromising to the competitors' safety.

Joanne Soo & Seet Thiam Huat
Both have been helping with a lot of coordination prior to the AYC. Joanne drafted the provisional programme in Guangzhou, was the chauffeur for Kim and Sammy throughout the competition. if not for Thiam Huat, the results would probably not be out so fast and the team managers and coaches might have to wait another hour for a comp that is ending past midnight.

Looking back, we would not have gain so much valuable experience had we withdrawn from the championship. Next year's event will be in Japan, competition discipline are likely to e Lead and Boulder. Gambate = )

Asian Youth Championship

The Asian Youth Chanmpionship will now be a Boulder and Speed discipline instead of Lead and Speed. Qualification Round will be on 23 Nov, Semi and FInals will be 24 Nov. Venue will be at Climbadventure. The Speed discipline will be held on 25 Nov at Suntect City Convention Hall 6 inconjuction with NSSCC FInals

http://www.smf.org.sg/events_asian.htm

Shopping in Hong Kong

Speak of Hong Kong and the reputation of a concrete jungle with towering sky scrapers will come to mind. While that is true. much of the territory remains undeveloped as the terrain is mostly hilly to mountainous with steep slopes. Coupled with a subtropical and temperate climate, the marketing for outdoor gears and winter clothings are much bigger than the SIngapore market.

I spent the entire Saturday walking along the streets of Mongkok looking for climbing gears. Here are a list of climbing shops situated in Mongkok within walking distance from each other.

Hong Kong Mountaineering Training Centre (HKMTC) - 1K Fa Yuen Street, Mongkok, Kowloon

Chamonix Alpine Equipment - 6A Nelson Street,G/F&1/F,Mongkok,Kowloon

Chamonix Alpine Equipment/ Hong Kong Mountaineering Training Centre stocks a wide variety of equipment. A must visit if you are looking for climbing shoes as it stock Five Ten & La Sportiva. Go to Chamonix Alpine Equipment if you are look for climbing shoes as the staff at HKMTC will need to go updairs to located the shoes sizes which could be a hassle especially when you are catching a plane.

Direction

You can find Chamonix Alpine Equipment easily when you head from Exit E (Bank Centre) of Mongkok MTR Station towards Fa Yuen St - it's on the corner of the ladies market located at the 2nd junction. Walking all the way to extreme ned after turning right at the 3rd junction will briing you to Hong Kong Mountaineering Training Centre.

The Overlander - 12-23, 12/F, Hollywood Plaza, 610 Nathan Rd, Mongkok.

Unlike the other shops, The Overlander is located in a office building. It has plenty of winter and hiking clothing. You can also find a wide collecton Gregory Classic Series and Montbell/Snow Peak titanium cookware.

Direction

Turn right from Exit E of Mongkok MTR Station and along the main street. Turn right at the 2nd junction to Nathan Road.

Mammut Pro Shop - 906, 9/F Hollywood Plaza 610 Nathan Road Mongkok

I found Mammut Pro Shop by chance when I saw a lady holding a Mammut Warehouse Sale signboard. It's in the same building as The Overlander.

RC Outfitters - 5/F&6/F, Oriental House, 24-26 Argyle Street, Mongkok

I didn't go to RC Outfitters as they have shifted from the old place. The are also well-known for their reasonable amount of climbing equipment.

Direction

Left alley of Mongkok MTR Exit D3

2nd AIG

The speed category was fully dominated by China by winning 2 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze. The women could have made it all-china poium finish if not for the 2 medals per NOC rule.


The lead catgory saw the usual dominance of the Japanese and Koreans. Both finals saw 1 Japanese and 1 Korean topping the route. The Women's final was split by a countback to the semis while the Men's final is decided bt the time taken to top the route.


The Games also saw a huge gathering among Asian judges. No competitions to date has activiated 15 officials from Asia. We are looking foward to the 3rd Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam even though the staus of Sports Cimbing is still in limbo.

Back from Asian Indoor Games

Just came back from Macau after the Asian Indoor Games. Someone was suppose to post a blog on his trip to KL during my absence but it's still not up after a week.....

Joanne and Tham Huat left for the Asian Cup in Changsha early yesterday, The weather is belived to be as cold as 7 degrees. They will head Asian Championship in Guangzhou before staying in Hongkong for a night.

Went to Mongkok yesterday wth Francis Low (aka small Francis) before he goes back to KL. Made my way to Central after Mongkok to meet up wth Rita. Met for a short 1 hour but the tram ride was worth all the wait.

Need to follow up on the NSSCC and Asian Youth Championship.