.....In Singapore

Not all Climbing is carried out on Rock-walls, Singapore also has some natural sites for rock climbing. Ok Ok, not exactly natural since they are man-made quarries, but they're the closest to natural terrain that we have. There are primarily two abandoned granite quarries where rock-climbing is done. These quarries are located in the central part of the island; adjacent or in the Nature reserves. This is the main area where technical climbing first began in Singapore in 1987/88. The nature of the rock is such that most of the granite is smoother than naturally weathered rock and there are some sections of loose rock. Check with local climbers who are familiar with a route before attempting it. Most trade routes have been cleared of the most obvious loose rock. Most of the climbs are bolted and are face climbs although some of the best climbs are crack climbs. The 2 quarries are: Diary Farm Quarry & Hindhede Quarry.

Named after the road, Dairy Farm quarry is located near Diary Farm Condos. This site has a good mix of challeging and easier routes.

To get there:
From the city, catch buses like 182, 170, 171 that go north along Dunearn and then Bukit Timah roads. From the Orchard Road area, a bus will take about 45 minutes. Get off just after Hillview Avenue and make a left turn ( cross the dual-carriageway ) into Dairy Farm Road. At the junction, you will notice a condominium ( Dairy Farm Condos ). 30 metres into the road, turn right into a rough but metalled road . Walk, drive or bike about 200 metres until you hit some gates ( sometimes open ). Follow the laterite track into a grassy field. The routes are on three side of this field. Most climbers climb Saturday afternoons and all day Sunday ( More common ). No amenities, so please get your suncream, water (lots ) etc. any routes are out of condition owing to the moss and vegetation on the rocks. Some new projects are attempting to open up the area..

Hindhede Quarry contains some of the best clean-surface rock-climbing and huge aid-route potential. It is located at the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. A high hill with an orange-red granite face. This is the upper part of the quarry. The hill is topped by a 10 storey Telecoms building and has two enormous red and white radio transmitter towers.

This part of the Nature Reserve itself is an interesting place with well-marked trails. Rising water levels of a large quarry lake decimated old climbs routes The water level is rising at about four metres a year. The quarry still has more than a dozen popular climbs. There are also a few projects in the pipeline which were suspended when the quarry was closed. Please do not attempt to access the quarry unless you have the requisite indemnity forms and ID requirements completed.

Recently reopened by the Singapore Mountaineering Federation, it is now available for climbing to all its affiliated clubs. Climbing days are restricted to weekends and public holidays only.at the following times:

Climbers must apply for a "Hindhede Quarry access Pass" from their affiliated society.the application will cost $10 per climber. All climber must be registered members of their respective societies and must have gone through a course of instructions in either wall or rock climbing.

Word of Caution : you climb at your own risk, the Singapore Mountaineering Federation holds no responsibility for any incurred injury or loss.

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