Crazy Horse Buttress
Also known as: Crazy Horse Caves, Tham Muang On
50m buttress rising from forest; airy caves; northern Thai countryside
The climbing
What there is to climb at Crazy Horse Buttress, and whether a mixed-ability group can split up here.
~150 area routes (buttress proper ~25); area approaching 300 with sectors
A Wild Ride on a Crazy Horse (8a+); The Beehouse (6c+); Muppet Show (5c); Ahya (6a)
~20 crags plus two caves; beginner French-5 walls to hard projects; caves for multi-pitch
2-min approach to main buttress; good for mixed-ability and family groups
Rock & setting
Limestone karst; compact, hard, mostly positive; sharp in places, polished slopers on popular lines
Tufas, crimps, pumpy overhangs, slabs; single-pitch sport, short multi-pitch, cave climbs
Primarily south-facing, sun-exposed; west face gets morning shade
Quietest region in Thailand; open routes even at busiest crag
Season & conditions
Oct-Mar
Nov-Feb
Cool dry season; CMRCA morning shuttle
Hot in sun; south-facing; farmer burning-season haze/smoke Feb-Apr
Approach & gear
Printed guidebook ~500 baht at CMRCA; parking at trailhead; read posted water-project notice. Confirm.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
2 min to buttress from top parking; other sectors few min on marked trails
45-min drive from Chiang Mai to Mae On; CMRCA/Progression Crew shuttle available
60-70m rope, 12-16 draws; extra gear for cave multi-pitch; mobile signal patchy
Chiang Mai city lodging; some Mae On homestays
Restrooms and water kiosk at parking (water unreliable)
Bolting & safety
Developed and maintained by Progression Crew (formerly CMRCA); generally good. Confirm.
Sharp rock, polished holds, heat, dry-season haze; loose blocks in spots
Not required; CMRCA / Progression Crew guiding and courses available
Chiang Mai hospitals ~45 min; CMRCA local contact
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand crag report. Coordinates are approximate.