Sok Kwu Buttress

Sok Kwu Buttress is the obvious granite buttress situated above the footpath between Sok Kwu Wan and Mo Tat Wan, about half way between the two and a relatively short walk from the Sok Kwu Wan Ferry Pier. The crag was developed by Rocky Lok, Angel Liu and Tsz San Lam in early 2020.

Climbs described with French Sport Grades have bolt protection whilst those with UK Trad Grades require the use of traditional protection. See here for a general explanation of these.

Traditional climbs should be left as such and not retro-bolted.

Given the recently developed nature of this crag and the presence of loose rock in may sections, helmets are strongly advised.

Access

To access, take the ferry to Sok Kwu Wan (see timetable here) and turn left at the end of the pier, following the path to Mo Tat Wan. The crag is reached after less than 10 mins walk.

Routes

1) Quarry Story HVS 5a
Climb the two parallel cracks to a ledge before continuing up the chimney above, being cautious of the loose block. This route has no top anchor so requires a proper traditional approach (e.g. leader and second) so you can top out and walk off to finish. Requires a set of cams up to #5 to climb comfortably.
F.A. Tsz San Lam (2020)

2) Horror Quarry E3 6a
A trad climb up the discontinuous crack system on the left side of the face. Follow the initial crack system on the far left of the buttress to a small ledge. From here a wide crack and open face climbing leads to the top of the crag. This route has no top anchor so requires a proper traditional approach (e.g. leader and second) so you can top out and walk off to finish. Requires a full set of cams up to #6 to climb comfortably.
F.A. Tsz San Lam (2020)

3) Nose Sensation F7a+
The obvious groove / corner system on the left of the buttress. (25m, 9 Bolts)
F.A. Angel Liu & Rocky Lok (2020)

4) Vertical Fighter F7b
(18m, 10 Bolts)
F.A. Angel Liu & Rocky Lok (2020)

5) Rush to the Sky *** F7c
Start from the tree and then continue with hard and sustained arête climbing. (18m, 9 Bolts)
F.A. Rocky Lok (2020)

6) Unknown (Closed Project)

7) Maze Runner *** F7c+
A dynamic and crimps line up the overhanging groove in the middle of the face. (25m, 12 Bolts)
William Chan (2020)

8) Martial Arts Cafe (Closed Project)
Start as for Maze Runner before branching out right to the arête and, eventually, the roof and finish of Shadow of Mountains. As with all closed projects, please be respectful and stay off until the developers have bagged their ascent.
Developer: William Chan and Rocky Lok (2022)

9) Shadow of Mountains *** F8a+
The king line of the crag. Sustained hard climbing up the right side of the face you brings you to the roof, which is tackled directly. (25m, 12 Bolts)
F.A. Rocky Lok (2020)

10) Chasing the Shadow (Closed Project)
Please respect the time and effort of the developers and unless you have their express permission, stay off the line. Likely to be one of the best and hardest lines in Hong Kong if it ever gets completed.
Developer: William Chan

Note: the topo for the following routes in the 2023 printed guidebook is inaccurate, with the route numbers all out by one (i.e. Route 10 on the topo is actually the line for Route 11 etc.). The lines and descriptions provided below give a clearer and correct link between description and line taken.

11) Lama Crack *** E4 6a
Awesome and sustained crack climbing to the fixed anchor. Requires a full set of cams, pref with some extra #5 and #6 to protect well. Named in memory of David Lama, e.g. not a spelling mistake 😉
F.A. William Chan (2020)

12) Rolling Stone * F7a
Thin technical climbing weaving up the wall and around overhanging sections to the right of the obvious jamming crack taken by Lama Crack, with a tricky crux right at the top. (18m, 6 Bolts)
F.A. Angel Liu (2020)

13) Lonely Tree * F6c
A technical climb that may require a slightly dynamic approach for those vertically challenged. (18m, 8 Bolts)
F.A. Rocky Lok (2020)

14) Sunlight Snake * F6c
A tricky lower section with dynamic moves through the roof leads to easier climbing above. (18m, 7 Bolts)
F.A. Tsz San Lam (2020)

15) Dollar Bird ** F6a
A fun route and great warm up for the more challenging routes on the crag. (16m, 5 Bolts)
F.A. Angel Liu (2020)

16) Passport to Krabi ** F7a
A short bouldery and powerful route. Climb the left side of the overhanging wall to reach the lip, where powerful moves going right through this may bring you to the easier climbing above. (16m, 7 Bolts)
F.A. Angel Liu (2020)

17) Secret Garden – F6b
A slightly trick and devious line with hidden holds. ()15m, 7 Bolts)
F.A. Tze San Lam

18) Beatable F7b
A bouldery and powerful route with hard, dynamic cruxes. (15m, 6 Bolts)
F.A. Rocky Lok (2020)

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