Survive The Wall of Nature
The Professional cliff camping at Khao Sok National Park
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| - Khao Sok National Park - |
Khao Sok National park, the man-made ecological structure from the construction of the Chiaw Lan dam turns the tropical rainforest into the gigantic body of water. Only the highest part of the mountain still shown and became the new geologic structure.
The cliff ecology became the big part of the national park. Chiaw Lan dam now is very attractive through the easy access through the Chiaw Lan lake. Today people be able to appreciate the beauty of nature through only the eyes.
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| - Alpine Climbing Rating and Possible trail - |
Alpine rock climbing is not for everyone
To reach the highest of the mountain by climbing is extremely dangerous. With the average high of more than 500-600 meters from the sea level, the cliff in Khao Sok national park almost reaches Grade 4 from 6 Grade of Alpine Climbing which needs to take more than 2-3 days climbing.
The rating was rated under the condition of incline and height. The concept of this project is to invite the professional climber over Grade 4 of Alpine Climbing who already expertise on climbing technique to experiences the new phenomenon of integration of the original form of cliff and architecture through the edge of nature.
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| - Cliff Ecology Analysis - |
Limestone Mountain structure consists of variety layer start from sand,
soil, and bedrock which can be separated into soft rock and hard rock layer.
To build an architecture on the surface of the cliff we need to make sure that we are able to reach the hard rock layer so it would reduce the chance of surface collapse.
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| - Preparing Campsite - |
With the professional climbing trail. It always takes more than 1 day on the cliff which needs to take a night on the cliff. The living condition is almost impossible.
Mostly the full professional climbing team will consist of not more than 10 crews. My project will provide the surviving space and also other surviving condition such as water source, walking path and camping space.
- Preparing campsite
- The first day of the camping space is the time to get as ready as possible before the climber climbs the great wall of nature.
- The camp is able to access through the boat from Cheow Lan dam.
- The visitor will reach the common space which includes the meeting room, bathroom, bedroom and also the climatic monitor to check the weather condition before climbing.
- To reach the Preparation tower which attaches to the starting point of the cliff, the climber needs to get ready by checking each other equipment and carry spare part of almost every stuff. If they decide to take the night on the cliff, they have to be ready to face the extreme condition over the wall.
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| - Cliff Camping DesignSection - |
After full day climbing or more than 6 hours climbing the surface, if they decide
to take the night and continue reaching the next checkpoint, I design the vertical campsite on the surface of the cliff which could be spread around the cliff under the condition of bedrock and the perspective view appreciation.
Camping site
At the height of more than 100-200 meters above sea level, the living condition is rough and barely have the resting spot and the camper needed to take a night on the cliff. To access the camping site, the site will connect to the carved climbing trail and provided the climbing hook to reach each part of the camp.
The camping site on the cliff is the vertically living condition. The camper needs to survive more than 60-80 kph wind speed.
Without any protection, the harness will swing through the wind and it is almost impossible to sleep at the night. I decided to create the camping location which provided the safe space and still touch the sense of vertically camping. The carving into the cliff for 3 meters by using the original technique “digging” will suitable for the maximum size of the double bed harness camping would create the space that provided the shelter for camping condition.
Water source
On the second day of climbing, the empty water container makes the climber became worried that how will they find the water. They must carry the water purifier to filter the natural water.
The study of limestone mountain shown that the water erosion inside the rock crate the shaft which would be the great potential to collect as the water source for the climber.
Caving technique is needed to access the water path inside the rock so I design the space that easily accessible to the source and also the extended roof which collects the water from the rainwater. The water source could be spread around the cliff to provide the climber in other trails.
Summit Campsite
The summit campsite will restore provide the comfortable living after the 3 days climbing. The camp will provide the living room, water source and walking path inside the rock to access each space which spread around the summit. At the highest point of the mountain more than 500 meters from the ground, the visitor will have almost 360 degrees perspective around the Khao Sok National park or even be able to see the Andaman Sea.
It would take an only full day or 6 hours down to the ground through the ready hook belaying and don't need to take the same route as the beginning of the trail. Every route will provide the similar water source nearby but the different climbing condition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, to surviving on the edge climbing, the climber needs to have the easier way to appreciate the extreme and greatness of nature by taking a day and night on the wall of nature.
So, the general idea of the new experience of rock climbing will promote the new phenomenon in Khao Sok discovery and invite more people to experience the integration between nature and architecture in the vertical landscape design.
Now, the more value on the cliff of Khao Sok National park was added through my project. The new design that evidence the greatness of natural sculpture, The design that let people see what they unseen from the Chiaw Lan lake, The Form of Nature that was hiding in the south of Thailand.
