Southern China is an undiscovered trove of amazing limestone. These mountains run 2,500 kilometers from China all the way down to Vietnam. Who would’ve ever guessed that, in the year 2010, one can still find a virgin 750-foot arch with amazing rock that has a staircase (1,368 stairs) leading directly up to its base? I’m amazed by just how young the sport of climbing actually is.

On a rest day we visited a nearby town of 80 people that sits inside a massive cave. The people here were friendly and took us into their homes. In general, the Chinese people we met were all very friendly and honest. They refused to accept any more money than what they asked for. On the walk around this section, we saw more amazing, tall limestone arches with more good stone. As Chris Sharma put it, “If the Chinese people ever get psyched on climbing, they’ll have more than enough rock to keep them busy.”

The climbing was really tricky, especially up at the Great Arch. It reminded me, actually, a lot like Rifle. Very knee-bar intensive with holds that can only be used in very particular body positions. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring my knee-pads on this trip, for this ridiculous reason: I was still reeling from Ramon’s onsight of The Crew (5.14c), sans knee-pads. I was so inspired by the ascent, that I figured if he can onsight The Crew without pads, then I should be able to climb without my pads, too. Big mistake! I knee-barred just as much as I would’ve otherwise, only now my knees are really sore and bruised.