New Video, Climbing on Cayman Brac

Search
Go

Discussion Topic

Return to Forum List
This thread has been locked
Messages 1 - 18 of total 18 in this topic
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 14, 2017 - 03:02pm PT
If you still haven't decided, Cayman Brac is the perfect spot for a winter sport climbing trip and there's still plenty of openings at Bluff View, the Climber's house. Great climbing, easy access, no crime, English-speaking and all of it at a mellow "Island Time" pace.

The climbing guide is free and on-line, along with lots of other information at:

http://www.climbcaymanbrac.com

While most of the climbing is "normal" sport climbing, where you start at the bottom and lower down from the anchors, for those who want a bit more adventure, check out the climbs at The Point. This year I have the good fortune to be able to show you a video of climbing at The Point. The climb is What's the Point? (9+) and is on the North-East Point of the island. Not the hardest climb (actually the easiest) but certainly has an amazing position.

Ignore the "Sorry" message. Just click the blue "Watch on Vimeo" and it will open a new tab. Go to full screen for the best views and enjoy the music.

https://vimeo.com/225647750

Let me know if you need more information. Oh, all the hurricanes missed the Brac. All that voodoo paid off!

Also new this year is the opening of Rock Iguana Ltd. Now you can climb with AMGA guides if your life-partner would rather sit on the beach with an umbrella drink. They also do adventure tours (rappelling off the Bluff, caving, etc.) if you have someone in your party who might be into that. You could easily entice them to take you snorkeling or diving too.

http://www.climb.ky

A dozen new routes went up this last season, 5.6 to 5.13, so the total route count is now 103 with most being in the "sweet" range of 10 to 12.
So where in the hell is Cayman Brac? It's just south of Cuba with daily flights from several airports in the U.S. and Canada.
Discovered by Christopher Columbus and claimed for Spain, it's now a British Crown Colony. English-speaking (drive on the left) with incredibly friendly people and almost zero crime.

My favorite story of Crime in the Brac: My friend Henry left a six-pack of cold beer on the passenger seat of his car, windows open, and went into a shop. When he came back one bottle was gone but there was a note: "I owe you one." About two weeks later he parked in the same lot, and when he came back he found a full beer and a note: "Thanks".
Dixon's Wall and the Iguana Wall have stalactites, tufas and wild flowstone with routes from 5.10 to 5.13.
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 15, 2017 - 07:17am PT
bump
karodrinker

Trad climber
San Jose, CA
Sep 15, 2017 - 09:56am PT
Looks awesome! Nice drone work and editing to the music. Really nice video.
Brian in SLC

Social climber
Salt Lake City, UT
Sep 15, 2017 - 10:56am PT
Good news that Irma didn't have a big impact on the Caymans...
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 17, 2017 - 08:35am PT
Yeah, Irma missed the Brac, but now I got Maria and Lee to worry about.
skcreidc

Social climber
SD, CA
Sep 17, 2017 - 09:22am PT
Looks insane! Hope it stays relatively untouched throughout the rest of the Hurricane season.
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 19, 2017 - 08:46pm PT
No kidding. It's worked so far but my budget doesn't include unlimited funds for the voodoo witch-doctor who's been sending the storms north.
NutAgain!

Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
Sep 20, 2017 - 11:01am PT
The video footage is pretty outstanding. Those drones can make anyone look like they have a Hollywood blockbuster budget if they know what they're doing. Nice epic music to go with it too.
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 24, 2017 - 11:43am PT
bump
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Sep 28, 2017 - 10:32am PT
bump
blumsky1985

Gym climber
Charlotte
Sep 28, 2017 - 11:38am PT
bump for one of the best climbing destinations I have ever been to, with a very welcoming "host". check it out, it won't disappoint!
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 19, 2017 - 08:03am PT
Posted yesterday in MP

Cayman Brac is a gem! Can't say enough about this place. About to embark on my third trip down there to John's place this winter in late Jan/early Feb. For me, these trips have been the perfect vacation to escape the cold and snow. So let's start - the island is quiet with super friendly locals who remember you year to year. If you're looking for touristy, all-inclusive resorts, manicured beaches, 5-star dining, and obnoxious tourists, this is not your place. There's only 1 beach and I think I've only ever seen 1 other group at that beach. The climbing is fantastic. John and Co. have done a great job safely equipping these climbs with bullet-proof Ti bolts. The routes are just ridiculously fun, great exposure, cool features (think caves, stalactites, flowstone, bands of Caymanite, fossils, etc) - sport climbing on the edge of the earth! We usually have the cliffs on the entire island to ourselves. I think in a total of 18-20 days climbing on the island, I've seen 3 other parties. John's house is also highly recommended, it's a great deal, with the basic amenities you need, walking distance to several climbs, quiet and comfortable (the stick clip and static lines are a nice added bonus). Oh and if you're a diver, Cayman Brac is world-class (but you probably already knew that). We usually dive in the morning either off one of the dive boats or from shore (if the waves allow) and climb in the afternoon and evening. The wall dives are out of this world with super clear water at 100' with a 2000'+ dropoff into the dark blue abyss - surreal! If you're not a diver, you should learn to get more out of your trip to Brac (there are a few decent areas to snorkel if the seas are calm though)
- Matt A.
aspendougy

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Oct 19, 2017 - 01:22pm PT
How long are the climbs, one pitch only, it's hard to get a sense of scale from your vimeo
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Oct 20, 2017 - 12:10pm PT
It's all sport climbing, so yeah, one pitch.

The routes over the water as shown in the video, are 100' to 130', up to 17 clips.

The inland routes are anywhere from 35' to 90'.

http://www.climbcaymanbrac.com/climbing-guide-2/
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Nov 19, 2017 - 08:35am PT
bump
Lord Slime

Sport climber
Fort Collins, CO
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 9, 2017 - 11:09am PT
bumping one more time
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
Feb 4, 2018 - 08:54am PT
Lord slime
Please keep us updated as to any route additions this year,
Especially moderate well protected sport routes!

Would it be worth while to add several titainium bolts on the approach to the wave wall, so as to be able to lead it sideways in inclement conditions?
Thanks so much!

Cheers!
Ezra
Ezra Ellis

Trad climber
North wet, and Da souf
Feb 5, 2018 - 01:38pm PT
Thank you for the free guide Lord Slime 👍
Messages 1 - 18 of total 18 in this topic
Return to Forum List
 
Our Guidebooks
spacerCheck 'em out!
SuperTopo Guidebooks

guidebook icon
Try a free sample topo!

 
SuperTopo on the Web

Recent Route Beta