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Weather/Conditions: Incredible
weather, especially for February! No wind, blue skies and warm, sound
rock. Like a summer evening...
Accompanying: Ian
Routes:
Access Route (10m Diff, seconded)
Anarchist, w/ left hand variation (10m V.Diff, seconded)
Access Route w/ finish on Slabs (10m Diff w/ HVS (?) end, seconded)
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This was my first time
climbing outdoors. I've been climbing for years indoors and had a dodgy
couple of hours up at the Whangie with Steve on a cold winter day.
Nothing proper though.
I'd never climbed anything like this until today. Although I couldn't
spend all day climbing due to other commitments, it was a big success.
Ian lead all the routes, and I came up after. We started off with Access
Route, an easy Diff with big holds all the way. It was a
pleasure to stand in the warm sun (in February!) and enjoy the morning.
Ian climbed first then I came after. It felt great - absolutely amazing.
We went onto Anarchist after, and both unable to climb one of the
central grooves, both taking a left hand variation. It seems we left out
the crux since it was definitely harder than anything else on the route.
It was still a step up from Access Route though and offered more
enjoyable climbing.
By this point, time was running low though we were doing well. With time
for one more route and seemingly run out of options, we did Access Route
again. As I approached the top, finding it too easy for run, I swung out
towards the slabs to the left and completed a
difficult final ascent on
small holds. It was physically hard work, but I knew I was safe and
enjoyed feeling the drop below.
It was great fun. It turned out to be a very successful first rock climb
and I knew I'd have to do it again.
Access Route (Diff)
Anarchist
(V.Diff)
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