The Jamaican Caves Organisation intends to soon get our rock-climbing outings underway. The current launch date is Oct 10, 2006.
Most tourists who visit the island never find out about the excellent climbing to be found in Jamaica; they stay in Negril, or Ocho Rios, many miles from the serious cliffs and walls that are found in the interior of the island. We hope to change the impression of Jamaica that many visitors come away with, that it is all beaches and bars, by introducing them to the karst topography of the Cockpit Country. This large wilderness area in the centre-west of the island offers some very good climbing, as well as some of the finest caving and hiking to be found on the planet. This page addresses the climbing, and we invite our guests to also have a look at JCO Funding and Tours, which deals with our hiking and caving tours.
The founder of the JCO, Stefan Stewart, was a climber long before he became a caver, and it seems logical to us that we take advantage of our knowledge of both the Cockpit Country and rock climbing to bring in necessary funding for our speleo work. We're not hoping to get rich by doing it, just assist with our caving expedition expenses.
The climbing courses are taking place at first in Coxheath, Trelawny. A superb example of Tower Karst offers a number of routes ranging from beginner to advanced, and facilities that include a washroom, restaurant, and shop are located close-by.
After this, opportunities for visitors to Ocho Rios will follow in the area of Moneague. Eventually, climbing will be offered on the SW side of the Cockpit Country, near Accompong, that will be available for visitors to Negril.
It is our intention to conduct these courses in a way that is safe and careful, but will also ensure that both beginners, and advanced climbers have a memorable experience. We supply ropes, harnesses, helmets, carabiners, belay devices, belayers, and bomb-proof top-rope anchors.
In order to carry out things in a safe and responsible manner, it is necessary to charge an amount that allows us to replace ropes and gear on a regular basis, and have adequate personnel, that being one instructor/guide per two to three climbers. Therefore, we must charge 75 USD per person per day, exclusive of transport, with a minumum charge of 150 USD. If we are given advance notice of a week, we can supply transport to and from Montego Bay, and a fine lunch at Miss Lilly's, in Coxheath, for 125 USD per person per day, with a minimum charge of 250 USD.
Experienced rock climbers who are not in need of instruction, but require the services of a qualified guide/climber for recommended climbing areas, and are in need of gear, can expect similar charges for a small climbing team, and a discount for groups of more than three.
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