Deck the halls with quickdraws

It's that time of year again; the season for climbing!

Summer has come and brought with it a mixed bag of tropical rainstorms, fry-an-egg-on-your-bonnet heat, and dry refreshing sendage breeze - in vastly unpopular ratios. Making the most of the weather windows is the art, and finding someone silly enough to give you a catch is the science. 

Also wishing everyone a happy xmas and new years, send hard :)

Medlow Bath, Sunbath

 Dams Cliffs, Bell

Bellbird Wall, Pulpit rock

Chris and Damo pulling on small holds, White Linen wall - Centennial Glen

Happy xmas and new year 2016!!

If it's cold enough, all tea is iced tea

After coffee and second breakfast at Il Postinos, Ben N, Jason and I spent the day down in the depths of Porters Pass in a futile attempt to escape the chilling windstorm that engulfed the upper mountains.

Played around on Powerbra Rangers and then Jas and Ben gave Chook Lotto a solid effort before we bailed to the Alex for a few rounds of pool with a new friend we made over some beers. 

A good hustle in some bad weather.

Jason with notable steeze

Ben N warming up

Making a dog's breakfast of it as always

Tea

Ben N styling through the thin crux

Hoppípolla; puddles at the glen

First time outdoors at a crag since having surgery. Feels incredible to breathe the cool, misty mountains air again as we headed out on a rainy afternoon at shipley plateau. Although not strong enough (or allowed to climb yet), it was a brilliant day with great people regardless. 

Damp conditions, mist and rain made the rock challenging to grip as those climbing fought hard to find any friction.

Gene displaying dedication and strength on Madge and Trix

Centennial Glen - Main wall, Chris climbing Madge McDonald (25)

Zion waiting for someone to play fetch

Arnold smiles :)

Jason chalking up - Trix Roughly, 26

Ben Lane (Jenga) - The Disintegrator, 24

Jason, Ben, Gene, Chris (from left)

Photo credit - Sneaky photo by Jason Nguyen

Bathing in the sun

Afternoon sun comes flooding into the sunbath at Medlow bath, reflecting off the scorched orange rock. Surprisingly popular despite the steep walk-in, the crag offers some quality climbing and stylish potential. After fighting for a fleeting and elusive dyno, the sun retreated down into the valley leaving shade on the wall, a cool breeze of sendage and affording the opportunity to practice some precarious alpine photography.  

'Anchor Management'

 

Centennial Challenges

Centennial Glen, Main wall, late afternoon sun

An afternoon of adventure at the Glen with the usual suspects. 

A quick warmup lap on Hairy Horrace - 23, followed by a few hard yards before ticking Iona - 24.

Gene gave the fight of his life on Padington - 25, with some impressive crimping and refined face climbing. The remaining glimpses of sunlight were spent working the moves of Padington and Horrace Herod, with inspiring fights and good progress. 

A late walkout was lit by the supernal glow of dense mountains mist, accompanied by the ethereal chorus of black cockatoos.

Paul gliding effortlessly through some small holds as a flurry of chalk is cast into the air

A favourite chance photo of Gene rehearsing the crux whilst surveying the inspiring line 

Kubrick's monolith

Kubrick Crack - 18, Big top, Blackheath

Like ultimate fighting with a rock, an offwidth challenge with an inspired line that tests the mind and body. When you see a line like the Kubrick crack it's hard to know what to expect or to anticipate any moves. But once you are shoulder jamming and working your body into the wall it all starts to come together in a beautiful way you could never imagine.

Jason placing some wires on a classic bolted crack

9 wire placements and quiver of quickdraws for a 10m climb;  Standard.

Attentive belayer

Sparkle of Porters

Sparkle motion

     

                                                              'Honnolding'

There's always time in life for a coffee with friends

Photo credit: Hannan Lewsley