I always wondered where a lot of the stone came from when I would be walking around Singapore 's down town and MRT stations. I found out where at least some of it was quarried from the first time I visited Dairy Farm Quarry to go climbing. Dairy farm is named, obviously so, from the farm that used to cover the area over 50 some years ago. When Singapore was coming into its time and industrializing the cows were swept aside for TNT, bulldozers, and dump trucks. The quarry is actually the smaller of two. But unlike the other larger quarry this one was partially filled in and there are no restrictions on access or climbing on the remaining walls. Located at the top of Bukit Timah nature reserve, it is the only place in Singapore where one can climb on “natural” rock. There are mostly bolted routes, with a few quality crack climbs mixed in here and there.

Click on the picture to the right for more pictures and less talk!

Friends
It was here at Dairy Farm that I first met a few people who I became friends with while living in Singapore . Namely Jim, Johann, and Suresh. We have a group website that we communicate through called Multiply. (DF-climbers.multiply.com) As far as climbing goes, Dairy Farm sucks, but Singapore would suck far worse without it, so I am not alone in saying that we are all incredible happy to have a small climbing haven in Singapore for like minded people to get out and socialize, meet new friends, and of coarse, climb!

The Climbs
One of the most frequented climbs at dairy farm is a funky 5c climb called American pie. Personally, I really don' enjoy this climb, but the rock directly to its left, right, and juxtaposing right offer wonderful 3 star climbs. Going up the middle of the American pie wall and to the left of the American pie route is a wonderfully crimpy face climb that I have yet to lead. The first 4 moves immediately put you in place. The original climbers actually used a chisel or jackhammer or add 2 key (but still shitty) holds so one can at least attempt to get off the ground! But the true shinning star I have dedicated too, is a climb found to the right of the American pie wall called super crack. You can just imagine what this climb is like. There is a beautiful splinter, jagged, but challenging crack going up 20 meters. I have yet to clean this crack even on top rope! I have been told it is around a 7a or 7b crack climb. Ohhhhh yeahhhhhh! I WILL clean this crack, one climb through, no falls or mistakes before my time in SG is over!

Rained out again!
On this particular day Kelly and I rode our bikes to DF, (about a 30 minute bike ride) and only got about 1 climb each I before the rain hit. Singapore weather is usually of the tropical type, blowing over in at most 30 minutes. But it seems good old PA weather followed me all the way from the states and we spent the remainder of the day hiding under a rock waiting for the rain to stop! Bummer! We eventually gave up and rode our bikes home. I was not looking forward to this venture home in the rain due to the pedal (Egg beaters if anyone is wondering) on my bike coming completely apart and leaving me with nothing but a tinny spline of metal to pedal upon! Luckily some of the climbers drove past us and I was able to hitch a ride through the rain home back to the future style! Poor Kel, was left pedaling like a madman trying to keep up with the car! You go Girl!

© September 6, 2008