Crags

Sisopon/Cliff Temple Rock



・Overview
It was Mr. Seishiro Nishimura, who has been aware of a limestone ridge behind the cliff mountain temple located in Sisopon, the state capital of Banteay Minchey, in the northwest part of Cambodia. Space Shuttle Tower we developed in February 2009 is the westmost peak of the ridge. It has a nice clean shape, with easy approach. More routes will be created in the future. You have to stand on a terrace to start climbing where you will feel a little bit exposed, but it has a magnificent view, overlooking the town of Sisopon. If you walk to the left and go to the backside of the rock, you can find an open space where you can relax yourself. If it is unbearably hot, there is a natural cooling room (so called cockpit) you can reach from this open space by climbing in the vegetation for 3 meters (Class III climb), and you will feel refreshed there. In the middle part of the same limestone rock, there is a steep trail leading to the cliff mountain temple. Walk this approach path to the top, and go to the north side. You will find small limestone rocks in the forest. This area is shaded and well ventilated. We call this area "Gods' Bed Area" and keep developing it as an area for children and beginners. The bases of the routes are mostly flat, and even beginners will not feel pressured. At the foot of the wall is a small statue of local god (Neactar).It would be nice if you can salute him by joining your palms together.

・Location
Sisopon Commune, Banteay Minchey province

・Access
You can make a day trip from Siem Reap. From the town, drive to the north along the route #6 for about 100km. It is two hours by taxi. (As of May 2011, the taxi fare is approximately US$60 round trip.) Sisopon is known as Sbai among local people, so tell the taxi driver to go to Sbai. A pagoda called Wat Phnom Chonchian, which is a khmer word meaning a cliff mountain temple, is the landmark you should be looking for. To Gods' Bed Area, walk up the approach to the pagoda. To Space Shuttle Tower, you walk along the national road toward Poipet, pass by the track to the pagoda, and reach the guest house (PYN's Place, with a yellow signboard). Take the small lane between the guest house and the market, and walk between private houses. It takes 10 minutes along a steep trail to the base of the rock.

・Gear
A 50 meter rope would be sufficient. Take 10 quickdraws. Long slings will be need for belaying.

・Rock Description
This limestone wall is mostly vertical (90°) except for the routes inside the cave. The Space Shuttle Tower rises high and looks good, but almost all of the cruxes are in the central blank section. You grab the groove looking like a large rain gutter, but its edge is quite sharp, so please be mindful of the rope drag. Once, a large block of rock in the Gods' Bed Area fell off. We recommend you to add backup protections to the anchors using slings or cams.

・Routes
Seven routes have been developed on the Space Shuttle Tower. The routes in the main wall are more or less firm and stable, except for the one on the left edge, named "29". Gods' Bed Area is mostly for top rope problems for children, but there are harder routes in the cave, such as 5.12a and 5.12d, so intermediates climbers should be able to enjoy this wall.

・Restrooms
None.

・Food
No problem, you can buy food at the market alongside the national road. Fruits, breads and water are cheaper here than Siem Reap.

・Perking
If you stay overnight, or order meal on the way back, you would be allowed to park at the PYN's Place Guest House.

・Threat
Sunlight, mosquitoes, ants, bees, scorpions, and snakes

・Accommodations
PYN's Place Guest House is perfect for climbers. You can see Space Shuttle Tower from its restaurant. Overnight stay is US$10 per room. English will be understood. You can order meals, although Italian dish only.

・Topo
Climbing Route Guide Book




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