Arc'teryx Climbing Academy is Back in Yangshuo, Elevating China’s Outdoor Climbing Scene to New Prominence

• Monday 28th October 2024

Arc'teryx is once again uniting top international climbers and local talents to enhance China’s climbing culture while inspiring and training a new generation of adventurers

From October 24 to 27, a group of the world’s top climbers, guides, and instructors gathered in Yangshuo – one of China’s most iconic climbing destinations – for the Arc'teryx Climbing Academy. Bringing the heritage of Arc’teryx Academy events in Squamish and Chamonix to the dramatic limestone cliffs of Yangshuo, this year’s event offered a new level of excellence, with an elite lineup of international experts and an upgraded curriculum tailored specifically to China’s evolving climbing scene. As the premier event for outdoor climbing in China, the Academy serves as both a beacon of innovation and a celebration of the spirit that drives climbers to explore.

Next-Level Course Upgrades Drive China’s Outdoor Climbing Evolution

This year’s Academy featured an expanded lineup of professional training courses, aligning with international standards and incorporating new, emerging disciplines in China. Core offerings, such as Sport Lead Climbing, returned, while Advanced Multi-pitch Climbing and Big Wall Climbing which offered extended course durations. Meanwhile, new offerings, including Traditional Climbing and Dry Tooling, tapped into disciplines still emerging in China. A particular focus on women’s climbing was another standout, with a newly introduced course for female climbers to confidently sharpen their outdoor skills.

A Powerhouse of Global Expertise

Arc’teryx brought a diverse team of world-class instructors to Yangshuo, celebrated Arc’teryx athletes such as He Chuan, Zhou Peng, Will Gadd, Quentin Roberts, and Emilie Pellerin. These experts shared their insights and cutting-edge techniques, providing participants with an unparalleled learning experience. By blending international perspectives with local talent, Arc’teryx aims to leverage its rich professional experience to drive Yangshuo’s status as a true global climbing hub of the future, rivalling iconic destinations such as Squamish and Chamonix.

Leading the Charge for Climbing’s Future in China

As Chinese climbing continually evolves, Arc’teryx is delving into the similarities and differences between international and domestic climbing scenes to help propel the sport forward in China. The “Observation Report on the Development of Outdoor Climbing in China” from last year’s Yangshuo summit marked a turning point in the country's climbing scene – highlighting the further need for climbing walls and community resources, as well as the addition of world-class difficulty routes. This year, the Academy once again brought together key figures from China’s climbing communities and international climbers to discuss the future of indoor and outdoor climbing integration. With China's potential to emerge as a global climbing hub, this summit underscores the vital role of collaboration in driving the community forward and attracting international climbers to experience China’s rich landscapes. By uniting these voices, Arc'teryx is driving customized solutions that propel the evolution of outdoor climbing nationwide.

Building China’s First 5.15 Route: A Game-Changer for Climbing

Following the 2023 summit, Arc'teryx athlete He Chuan has been leading the charge to develop China's first-ever 5.15-difficulty route in Guangxi’s Shegeng Cave – an exciting milestone for Chinese climbing. The creation of such venues will allow Chinese climbers to tackle world-class difficulty routes right in their own backyards, thereby nurturing talent and accelerating alignment with international standards. It also elevates China’s status as a global climbing destination, attracting international athletes and offering local climbers world-class challenges. As the route progresses, it symbolises both the evolution of China’s climbing culture and the growing global interest in its unique landscapes.

Upholding Sustainability and Leading the Future of Outdoor Climbing

As a leader in outdoor sporting gear, Arc’teryx has consistently accompanied professional athletes on their journeys while remaining committed to sustainability and evolving its products in response to real-world needs. This commitment was highlighted at the Yangshuo Academy with an exhibition of the history of Alpha SV – the ultimate shell for severe weather protection and standard for performance in extreme environments – along with the first showcase of the ReBIRD™ program in Yangshuo which aims to extend the life of products, reduce waste, and drive circularity.

Through the Climbing Academy and other initiatives, Arc'teryx is charting a bold course for the future of outdoor adventure, both in China and beyond – not only setting international standards but influencing the climbing scene and bringing more climbers from China and around the world to experience all that Chinese landscapes have to offer. Arc’teryx looks forward to joining climbers on their vertical journeys, creating new opportunities to explore, push boundaries, and shape the future of climbing.