Acid Rock

Last update: Nov. 28, 2021

Acid Rock, located an hour and a half from the city. Is the most developed crag for practicing sport climbing, with routes ranging from 5a to 7b+. Ideal for beginners with a slab wall full of easy routes an another vertical wall for the more advance climbers.

Location

Buenos Aires, Chame, Panamá Oeste (GPS: 8°38'28.6"N , 79°56'41.7"W).

You can visit the following link for more weather information: Weather forecast for chame.

Description

Acid Rock is relatively confortable option for being only a 10 minutes walk from the street. It has 22 routes equipped and ready to climb.

The first bolts in the crag came by back in 2017 by local and international climbers who joined forces the develpment. The area has three climbing sectors called Buena Vibra, 4 4 and Vertigología.

The sector with the most routes so far is Buena Vibra with 11 routes of slab climbing, one of them being a 3 pitch sport route that lead to the top of the mountain. Sector 4 4 has 9 climbing routes, one of them is still a project that climbers come to try and test themself. Finally, the least developed sector, Vertigología, which has only two routes on the headwall of the biggest face of the mountain.

Basalt predominates throughout the rock and the three sectors have different climbing styles so each one is very particular. In this crag, a 60-meter rope is enough to do most of the routes.

Access

First things first, the rock is on private property. Currently there is an agreement with the owner of the land to allow access to climbers for $ 1 the day pass, which helps to carry out the activity in a sustainable way for all the people involved.

To go climbing, rappelling or walking the trail, you must leave the contribution at the Baboons Boulder Wall facilities located on Calle 44 de Bella Vista, Posada 1914. Ask for their digital payment methods in case you can't make it there.

Vehicles can be parked on the side of the road as long as they do not obstruct the way. There is a barb wire fence you need to cross, there is not a door for it. You have to look for a spot big enough for your body to pass without breaking the fence.

There is a hike that leads to the buena vibra sector, but sometimes it could be tricky to spot depending on how tall the grass had grown. As soon as you get there if you keep walking towards the roght you get to 4 4 sector or to the left and you get to vertigología.

Photo-illustration of the hikes to the sectors.

Rules

The following are a set of rules for the general use of the areas and it's preservation:

1. Respect the access fee. So far we have been able to climbing on the site simply because of the access fee that the owner receives. He benefits from the income that the climbers bring and we benefit from the climbing. It's a win-win situation, respect the rule.

2. Low impact. Do not litter or trash the area.

3. Stay on the trails. This helps keep the trail visible.

4. Respect the rock. Avoid carving grips, graffiti, or altering the natural state of the rock.

5. Respect the existing philosophy. Check with local climbers in the area if you want to take advantage of an area to bolt a route. Do not remove the protections, and if this is necessary, again, check first with the locals.

Restaurants and Accommodations

The closest communities where you can find restaurants and mini super markets is in Bejuco and Chicá. In Bejuco you will find the Pio Pio restaurant which has an ATM to withdraw money from your debit card if necessary.

Regarding accommodation, we recommend the Campana National Park, about 20 minutes from Acid Rock. Where is authorized to camp as long as the park access fee is paid.

Guidebook

For more detailed information about Acid Rock, we invite you to download the free guidebook. This is the first edition of it, dated June 2021. Written by local climbers, Felix Lorgio and Luis Carranza.

You can download a free copy of the guidebook in the google drive linked bellow: