The Egg - November 2022

A day in the mountains is cleansing for the soul. What better birthday present than escape to the vistas of the sandstone escarpments surrounded by conlomerate cliffs looking down upon the expansion of space below, with you right in the midst of it all, perhaps moving through the space between the stone and the air effortlessly or just falling ever so freely? Carpe Diem.

We were going to pull on some plastic that day, but the sun was teasing us upward towards the Blue Mountains and with James already there waiting for us we really had no excuse. So Louise, Roman J. and S. and James met for a brief discussion of what crag to go to at the Victory Cafe. Right in the middle of Saturday's weekend peak period the selection process can be crucial and a remote location is preferable to avoid the crowds. James suggested the relatively remote Egg crag along the Radiata Plated, which has now been renamed to its aboriginal roots: Ngula Bulgarabang. As we set off on the firetrail at the end of Pulpit Hill Road we walked along some of the hardes climbing cliffs in the country: The Pit, Little Italy and Elpinstone. After about 30 min we found the well hidden Egg perched high above the Megalong Valley with panoramic views of the beyond and one impecable wall of bullet-proofed sandstone. It was suprisingly cold in the shade with perfect climbing conditions until 2pm when the crag would light up in the spring sun. Suprisingly a few parties where working projects and we were not alone as anticipated. Being used to warming up gentle and gradually The Egg starts at 24 minimum and also not really at the easy end of the grade. So for once we just started the hard way and threw everything we had in the fray. At lunchtime Hamish joined us to sample the local delights. All it all it was a humbling experience and we left vowing to come back for another round.

Funky Monkey (24***) apparently the easiest climb at the crag - phew. Though undercling start crux gets the pump going early with some steep moves along an overhanging arete. The crimpy cruxes keep coming just when you loose your blood circulation, then steep to the top with the occasional hard move to keep you thinking all the way to the anchors. Amazing.

Red Demon (24***) another easy 24 for warming up with a distinct lower crux to nice edge pulling to a rest underneath the roof. A tough bouldery move to breach the roof and gentle climbing to the top. Oustanding climbing

Headshot (27***) Thin techinical face climbing with two distinctive crux section and a really bad reast in between. Onsight by Roman and nice redpoint by James.

The Floating Line (28*) Roman onsighted everything to the last move. Then extemely morpho in the European sense of the term. Several filled in pockets with a final not filled in pocket make this climb a little confusing and the grade debatable?

Five Point Exploding Heart (28 original but 29+ with the broken hold). Hamish fought his way up this amazingly thin line with several all point off dynos.

Ike the Butcher (26**) James went to work on this hyper steep technical roof only to discover that it was getting late in the day.

Roman 2022

Go here for more photos:  HERE