A group of amazing students from the Al Khor International School traveled all the way from Doha, Qatar to experience northern Thailand. Though many had never been rock climbing or rappelling before, these 5th-8th graders took the lead and created an incredible day of fun outdoor adventuring at Crazy Horse Buttress! The CMRCA staff was impressed by everyone's bravery, persistence, and willingness to explore outside your comfort zones. Thanks also for teaching us a few words of Arabic!
We had a terrific day and look forward to working with Al Khor International School again soon.
The intrepid members of Pacific Discovery's Southeast Asia Semester program swept through Chiang Mai this week, exploring the airy heights and darkest depths of Crazy Horse Buttress on a 2-day Karst Exploration Adventure. These keen and conscious travelers took on the action-packed itinerary of rock climbing, rappelling, vertical caving, and cultural immersion with admirable energy and humor.
From shopping at the local morning market to sailing across a Tyrolean Traverse; From reaching the top of a difficult climb to attending a very thorough squat toilet lesson; From a discussion of growth, challenge, and culture shock around the campfire to a strobe-headlamp disco dance party far beneath the earth; This was our third program with Pacific Discovery, and we couldn't have asked for more.
Kids Day (Wan Dek) is celebrated all over Thailand on the second Saturday of January. This year, CMRCA staff spent the holiday in Mae On, the beautiful village right next to Crazy Horse Buttress.
We set up a slackline, played a suite of adventurous group games and activities, showed climbing movies, gave out prizes, and laughed our way through a brilliant morning. So many smiles! We wish every day was Kids Day!!!
This month we welcomed a delightful swarm of aspiring young climbers from the Home of Joy and the School for Life, two children's organizations in Chiang Mai. On CMRCA Kids Day, once a month, climbing is about much more than strength and balance: it's about trust, fun, challenge, adventure, and engaging with the local community. CMRCA staff and volunteers from the climbing community had a terrific time spotting, coaching, and playing with these amazing children.
The American Community School of Abu Dhabi blew us away this weekend with their energy, enthusiasm, and willingness to tackle challenge. Over two days at Crazy Horse Buttress, more than 100 students (ages 13-14) and chaperones belayed each other on tough climbs, explored caves both narrow and enormous, learned about the cultural and geological history of Northern Thailand, danced with their fear on a Tyrolean Traverse more than 40 meters above the ground, and engaged in hilarious, meaningful team-building activities. The CMRCA staff loved working with such an exciting group of students! Thanks and congratulations to ACS for creating a truly phenomenal experience.
We had another fantastic day with International Student Volunteers. This is an amazing group of students who come to Thailand and volunteer at amazing sustainability projects throughout Thailand. They then go on an incredible adventure including climbing, caving and high rope adventures. We love working with ISV. You had positive attitudes and gave us an outstanding effort. In return, here is our first ever CMRCA video. We hope you enjoy it.