Category: general

Categories
general snow

and it’s only april!

Went out to play in the snow today :)

There was a slight change of plans after realising the weather would be horrible for sea kayaking, and that there would in all likelihood be a reasonable amount of snow at Mount Baw Baw. We like the snow.

However, I would have preferred a late season this year, so I could theoretically get my thesis written and then go off and play in the last of the snow. I suppose 1) The season could still end up finishing late, or 2) The snow running out could encourage me to magically get my thesis written sooner (hah!)

Categories
climbing general trip reports

the blue mountains is a lovely place

A long (long) Easter weekend was spent at Blackheath, in the Blue Mountains. The weather and climbing were both lovely, and the old house we rented for a week was interesting, particularly with 15 people staying in it. A sample of our adventures in the photos below. As per usual, when the most climbing was being done, there was no photographic evidence. Conclusion from the trip – Sydney climbers have it pretty good when it comes to quality rock nearby (also some other conclusions about Sydney being warmer, but Melbourne being a nicer city to live in, or something like that).

 
Helen manages the reachy crux on the appropriately named Pommy Filth (19), Mount York

 
Samantha belays Dave on Noodle (15), Mount York

 
Hannah slabs it up at Porters Pass

 
More blue skies as Ness does the first ascent of a newly bolted 18 at Mt Piddington

 
Jackie contemplates the crimpy crux of Cutopia (23) at Porters Pass

 
Jesse laughs in the face of those who climb without class

Categories
climbing general

statistical distribution of rock climbers at easter

Distribution from small selected sample (people who live in my house):

Arapiles – 1
Moonarie – 1
Blue Mountains – 3

Blue Mountains wins! I’ll be back in a week :)

Categories
general

grrrr

So close…. damnit.

NOTE– To those of you who would mock my van, I’m referring to the odometer, not the speedometer.

Categories
general

things i learnt

Places that are not good to leave your camera: The top of the Pharos, at Arapiles, where you can only get to it by roping up and climbing back up to it. Do not leave your camera by the rap station, then realise you don’t have it any more once you are at the bottom. It is TOO LATE to go back and get it. This is especially a bad idea when it proceeds to rain for the next 24 hours.

NOTE – This story ended well however, and is not another in the ‘Reasons I Should Not Own A Camera’ vein. The camera was rescued and is in full health.