Will's Rock Climbing Page > Crags > Phra Nang Peninsula > Happy Island

Happy Island

The Word: A beautiful little wall packed with classics.
The Crag Classic: King Fisher (*** 30m 7a+/25)
The Hidden Gem: Swimming
Sun/shade: Late afternoon shade
Wet weather options: The hard routes probably stay dry if you can face the wade across to check them out.
Grades: 6a-8a+ (17-30)

The Details: Known by locals as Ko Rung Nok (Bird's Nest Island), for soup collection purposes! The eastern side is awesomely overhung but is blank. The NW side (facing Universe Wall - to the right in the photo here) is where the action is, with a gorgeous smooth wall above a nice little beach.

Access: It's about 100m off Phra Nang Beach, and the wade is about waist deep at low tide. You probably have about 2 hours either side of low tide in which to climb - keep a close eye on the tides to ensure you can get back! Alternatively you could hire a boat and go at higher tide.

** Don't Worry Be Happy 25m 6a/6b+ (17/21) (OS)
6a is probably a fair grade if you come at high tide and start off a boat. However the undercut start off the beach is bloody hard and more like 6b+/21. From there up it's quite pleasant climbing up the small corner at the left end of the face using several small stalactites and tufas.

Paradise!

� 2003-2004 Will

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