Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Buffalo Sunday 18 October
Ben and I left Wodonga at about 8.45 and met Caoimhin in the car park a bit after 10. We headed down to Beowulf straight away and set up a top rope. I managed to flail my way up it , I think I probably should have warmed up first. Ben led What Ethics? (15), which follows a short crack to a break and then finishes up a slab. Caoimhin and I both did it too. I remember really struggling with the crack section a couple of years ago but it was easy this time. Hopefully that means I am getting better at cracks!
Caoiminh then hopped on Beowulf and managed to do it with only a couple of rests (apparently he likes laybacking). Ben found it very awkward but they both agreed it's a great climb, and something to aspire to leading one day.
After some lunch in the car park we went up to the Mothballs (just below the Horn). Ben led The Biggest Thing Here (16) after struggling with the start (everyone does). Caoiminh and I both followed.
I decided to lead Waiting For A Princess (20) which I had toproped last year. I felt really good on the bottom section and cruised up to the rest which is just before the climb steepens. The crux is getting past the steep section (it's pretty much vertical for almost a bodylength) . I managed to get through this OK, but frustratingly I fell off on the slabby bit after that (which is still pretty hard). Anyway hopefully I'll get it next time, it was really good to do that well.
Ben also gave it a go but couldn't get through the crux, and Caoiminh wasn't feeling up to it so we headed up the road to Dreamworld.
It was probably not the best idea to try another climb (it was pretty late in the day) but I hopped on This Is Not Our Land (19). I got to the 3rd bolt but was very very pumped and had to lower off. Ben got to the same place and was looking a bit better but was also tired from the earlier climbs so we left half a quickdraw there. Hopefully we can get it back next time!
All in all a great day, personally I think I'm improving (feeling much better on the slabs and stronger on everything else) and Ben was happy to go to some new areas which he hadn't visited before. Caoiminh hadn't been up there at all before so it was all new for him, but I think he liked it.
Caoiminh then hopped on Beowulf and managed to do it with only a couple of rests (apparently he likes laybacking). Ben found it very awkward but they both agreed it's a great climb, and something to aspire to leading one day.
After some lunch in the car park we went up to the Mothballs (just below the Horn). Ben led The Biggest Thing Here (16) after struggling with the start (everyone does). Caoiminh and I both followed.
I decided to lead Waiting For A Princess (20) which I had toproped last year. I felt really good on the bottom section and cruised up to the rest which is just before the climb steepens. The crux is getting past the steep section (it's pretty much vertical for almost a bodylength) . I managed to get through this OK, but frustratingly I fell off on the slabby bit after that (which is still pretty hard). Anyway hopefully I'll get it next time, it was really good to do that well.
Ben also gave it a go but couldn't get through the crux, and Caoiminh wasn't feeling up to it so we headed up the road to Dreamworld.
It was probably not the best idea to try another climb (it was pretty late in the day) but I hopped on This Is Not Our Land (19). I got to the 3rd bolt but was very very pumped and had to lower off. Ben got to the same place and was looking a bit better but was also tired from the earlier climbs so we left half a quickdraw there. Hopefully we can get it back next time!
All in all a great day, personally I think I'm improving (feeling much better on the slabs and stronger on everything else) and Ben was happy to go to some new areas which he hadn't visited before. Caoiminh hadn't been up there at all before so it was all new for him, but I think he liked it.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Yarrawonga & Felltimber
Well I travelled over to Yarrawonga on Saturday to go to one of Kylie's uni friends' wedding. Yarrawonga and Mulwala are connected by a bridge over Lake Mulwala on the Murray River. Boy was it nice there! I can see why the town is doing well, it would be a perfect place to spend your retirement. I was running a bit late so I had to speed most of the way there and get changed into my suit on the side of the road. But I managed to make it with a few minutes to spare (phew!). Kylie was the first down the aisle and she looked really nice. The bridesmaids dresses could probably be best described as claret.
After the wedding I checked into the motel and spent the afternoon reading Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? What a fantastic book! Go read it if you haven't already.
The reception was at Club Mulwala - a very nice venue. I arrived early and walked around uncomfortably for a while (I knew no-one and Kylie was off having photos) before I got chatting to the guy that runs the club. The bride's father also works at the club. The usual speeches, dining and drinking ensued and I actually enjoyed myself more than I thought I would.
Sunday we stopped in at the bride's parents' house for brunch, but we had just eaten so we only stayed an hour or so and then headed for home. I called up Brad who was keen to get away from his assignments so we went to Felltimber. I was happy to get up the new climb Bullfighter first go - it's a really nice climb with a little bit of a bouldery start. The one next to it (Red Flag) is much harder and my fingers weren't up to it - besides there is a crazy swing if you fall off. I think I will do it eventually though. Brad did a couple of problems he hadn't tried before and I managed to feel a bit more secure on Big Ass Bovine Style, which is still out of my reach at V4 but getting closer. The training and increase in the time on rock is definitely paying off! Can't wait for Arapiles in November!
After the wedding I checked into the motel and spent the afternoon reading Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep? What a fantastic book! Go read it if you haven't already.
The reception was at Club Mulwala - a very nice venue. I arrived early and walked around uncomfortably for a while (I knew no-one and Kylie was off having photos) before I got chatting to the guy that runs the club. The bride's father also works at the club. The usual speeches, dining and drinking ensued and I actually enjoyed myself more than I thought I would.
Sunday we stopped in at the bride's parents' house for brunch, but we had just eaten so we only stayed an hour or so and then headed for home. I called up Brad who was keen to get away from his assignments so we went to Felltimber. I was happy to get up the new climb Bullfighter first go - it's a really nice climb with a little bit of a bouldery start. The one next to it (Red Flag) is much harder and my fingers weren't up to it - besides there is a crazy swing if you fall off. I think I will do it eventually though. Brad did a couple of problems he hadn't tried before and I managed to feel a bit more secure on Big Ass Bovine Style, which is still out of my reach at V4 but getting closer. The training and increase in the time on rock is definitely paying off! Can't wait for Arapiles in November!
