Twenty is a special age in many cultures: it marks the transition from the teen years across a fragmented fuzzy psychological boundary that either signifies nothing at all or absolutely everything depending on your own perception of it.
We had tried birthday parties for the twins before, but the mega fires in the Blueys led to our first cancelation of the Blueys trip in 2019. We then tried again in 2020, but Covid led to yet another cancelation and it was not until 2021 that we were able to bring everyone together under one roof in the Blue Mountains for a weekend of climbing, adventuring and celebration. For the weekend of Friday, the 17 December to Sunday the 19th December we were joined by Alex, Andrew, Cameron, Jack, James, Janaya, Louise, Meg, Tullia, Will and Roman and Chris as the birthday boys. Our get together was the amazing Wildberg at Blackheath with easy access to the local pubs.
With several players already in the Blue Mountains we all met at the extraordinary Victory Café in Blackheath to pick the climbing location of the day. After amble coffee the imposing steepness of the Adults Only cave at Bardens Lookdown came out on top. Usually, we would avoid this popular destination on the weekend but being Friday we had the entire cave to ourselves. Conspicuous for its long steep sustained climbing we threw the entire crew at some steep nastiness:
Way of All Flesh (26***) one of the best long sustained pumpers in the mountains. Will, Roman, Tullia, Chris all took turns but only Chris managed an ascent that day.
It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry Sport (29**) Rediculously steep roof crack with confounding crux sequence: Roman and James threw everything they had at it.
These Terrors be but Arguments for Children (26**) Short and sharp with a hideously tricky boulder problem in the middle. Serious boulder bro material: Cameron, Alex, Will with Alex getting the send in impeccable style.
George, King of the Jungle (25**) Fantastic long climbing with a formidable crux lunge in the middle: Tullia, Chris.
Electric Blue (19***) old school mixed line with only a few pieces for the beginning crack then mostly ringbolts until the final runout (protect with a Camelot 1ish) great long sustained root with a variety of classy moves. Meg, James, Roman.
The day was hot and long and finally the pub meals where calling us. After refreshing at our mountain chalet, where Roman and Louise collapsed with a couple of beers before heading to the Gardeners Inn for a delightful finish to the day. Returning to our house the adrenaline was still strong: Louie and Hamish also turned up and it was time for round two. Tullia and Louie went for a Grand Canyon night crossing (with only one harness and one head torch) while the rest of us partied on.
Saturday morning started quiet with lots of coffee and a slow breakfast spent ruminating about the day’s activities. It was already hot outside early on, so despite the weekend we decided to head for the coveted wetness of the Dam Cliffs. Climbing would be busy so a waterline/highline was the obvious alternative. James and Jack started setting up a midline from the massive gum tree behind the main deep water soloing wall to a small island rock across the river. The line was about 20 meters long and 5 meters above the river – high enough for a leash to be used - and with a little less tension providing a nice slam dunk into the water. It was Jacks and Janayas first attempt at highlining that very fine day. The balance was strong and most of us spend the day getting whipped into shape. Meanwhile Jack and Roman Senior manage to escape down to the climbing area where as expected for a weekend the crowds were jostling for a little bit of real estate at the fabulous Steep Thai Wall. Jack was keen on another attempt of the classic short but hard bouldery War And Peace 25**. Gravity was good to us that day and we made some nice progress on this long-term project. Maybe the extension is possible after all Warhorse 27** with a tough boulder problem leading into War and Peace. On our way back up to the waterline the going was still strong and we retired back to our house for the day. It was nacho night for the youngsters while Jack, Roman and Louise escaped to the pup for a beer and meal.
Once again after a good feed the night cooled things down a bit after a very hot day and desbite the impending thunderstorms we had three groups head out into the night for more action. Tullia and James for Bell Bird Wall multi-pitching, Alex, Chris, Roman and Will for XXXX bouldering. The late thunderstorm brought everyone back again and the party kept going.
Sunday arrived way to quick and after checking out of our mountain chalet we split up into a few teams for some final workouts: Cameron and Chris where keen on Ukulore valley where Bleach Belly (V9***) was waiting for them. Roman and Andrew headed to the Mr.BigArea and the rest joined the maddening crowd at Upper Shipley but eventually escaped to Porters Pass. It had been an amazing weekends and we finally managed to pull of a nice birthday party on our third attempt. |
