A great spot to hang out
Guizhou's Getu River has become a hot spot for folks seeking a steep challenge
Choosing Getu River demonstrated the international climbing community's enthusiasm for this emerging sport climbing destination.
Among them was famed Spanish climber Dani Andrada, who, along with his partner, made the first ascent of a multi-pitch, 210-meter roof climb in Chuangshang Cave.
Climbing website UKClimbing at the time called it "maybe the hardest continual overhanging sport route in the world".
The first ascenders named the route Corazon de Ensueno, meaning "Heart of Dreams".
"Climbing such a route is a dream for every climber who wants to challenge themselves. A multi-pitch route with continuous difficulty ranging from 8B to 9A is entirely different from a single-pitch, high-difficulty route. For me, this is the future of climbing," Andrada said in a recorded interview.
Beyond high-difficulty routes like Heart of Dreams, the Getu River area offers a wide range of climbing spots that cater to everyone, from beginners to elite climbers.
In the months surrounding the Petzl event, over 300 new routes were established, and more than 250 of them remain well-maintained today.
The nature of the activity means that climbers often stay for days or even months, contributing to local income through accommodation, food and climbing fees.
The Getu River Scenic Area and the local government see climbing as a potential economic driver, and both are keen to revitalize the ancient climbing culture.
