This was a very special weekend, Louise and Roman have been looking forward to it for some time and it took a lot of planning, but eventually all the stars aligned. Deno from Hongkong, Nobu from Japan and Kerry and Andy from New Zealand all met up at our chalet in the Blue Mountains for a climbing reunion from our youthful Japan days. For some of us it had been years since we saw each other. Time has been kind to all of us, although over twenty years have passed. It was a real delight to see all the young faces again, albeit with a lot more ambience. Even though not everyone could make it, some of us finally got together for a perfect long weekend in May. This is a little tribute to all of those who could not make it to motivate everyone for our next get together some time soon. Lets see if we can repeat it! Below are some of the climbing highlights with the best lines we climbed.
Main Wall Centennial Glen
Nev Herod 23*** slightly tricky mantle to establish before the main roof. We all did the start over the lip differently. Shake out rest before the steepness begins. Some good edges to a high underling, heel hook and through for the godly jug. Then jugs to the stop, a sublime experience. Thanks to Kerry for working out all the moves and taking a winger in the process.
Fort Rock area
We pretty much completed all the climbs on this mini-cliff but everyone’s favorite was:
F Troop (22***) great consistent climbing with flashes by both Nobu and Kerry.
Upper Shipley Sandwich wall and Grey Slabs
These People are sandwiches 22*** the orange streak with the hard move over the lip still feeling hard after so many years. With Deno on day 1. We also did quite a few of the slabs for warmups.
Junket Pumper area
Junket Pumper 24*** Kerry was keen on a repeat so there was no walking past this super-classic. Lots of laps by all of us with some sends and some new projects for Deno and Nobu to come back for!
Celebrity Crags – Jimmy Cliff area
Rudolf the Bloody Reindeer 23*** another classic with lots of hard moves interlaced with good rests. Nice sends by Nobu and Kerry. Just across the canyon on the other side lies the beautiful Sharon Stone are with Sensory Overload (23***) we kept that one for your next visit.
Until we meet again……….
|
