Ascents in Arapiles by Laurie Barram

Michael led P1. Clipped Jenny's pre-placed gear on P2. What a wonderful climb to finish our trip to Araps. Will have to lead it properly next time.

Led P2,4. Jenny did all the hard work on the crux pitches 1 & 3. We thought P1 was hardest. P3 is quite spectacular climbing up a crack high on the wall.

Easy for the grade, lots of jugs even on the overhang. This climb is heaps of fun on big holds.

Michael led P1 & Jenny led P2 (crux). A tricky lay away gets you started on P2.

Returned to this great climb to do the crux pitch. Led P3 after starting up Kaiser. The overhang is quite easy once you get out there on the starting blocks. With Michael.

Led P1, great climbing with crack, slab and face moves. Michael led P2 then we moved onto Resignation.

Led P2 with Michael. Take along some large nuts or smaller hexes to protect the crack as it will not take cams.

A great little climb which looked hard from the ground but had pro and an exciting move up the slab at the top. With Michael.

Led P1,3 with Michael. It rained on P3 and ended up soaking wet belaying with water dripping from the rim of the helmet.

With Richo, James and Michael. A short crack with a couple of interesting moves.

With Richo, James & Michael. Had to release the dinner plate to make the step across the gap.

Led P1,3 with Jo. P1 run out on slab then nice moves on overlap. Overhang on P3 was fun on big buckets.

Led P1,2,4,6 with Ross. Stay below the orange rock with no pro on P4 as the book says. Tricky moves to get off gnd and P3 is solid for a grade 10. Highlights are climbing the jug ladder to the balcony and the exposed moves around 1st and 2nd weaknesses on balcony.

Led P1 and Michael did the real work on P2.

Led P1,3 with Linley. Another easy grade classic Araps adventure with a "step off a jetty" and a crawl through a tunnel. The rounded lay away on P1 is a bit daunting for the grade, but do this climb it deserves its stars.

Led P2 after Brad started up P1 of Libretto. This was one of my favorite pitches at Araps, the pull up into the corner, the traverse, the moves up the face that ease into a jug-fest at the top, all add up to a fun excursion.

Followed Brad up P1 (14)

Led P1. Brad stormed up through the overhangs on P2.

The traverse added interest to P1. Brad did a good job of leading P2, the pick of them on this route.

Followed Brad up this corner that reminded us of Frog. Turn around and look for the footholds behind you when you find yourself wedged in deep.

What a great climb! Led P2,4 with Brad. Went back another day to do the crux with Michael. The combination with Kaiser is recommended for an even better outing.

Got off route at top and finished up Dracula. Loved the columns in the cave. Araps is full of surprises like that.

Did this one with Brad on my first day at Araps and was not yet used to the juggy overhanging rock on the easy grades. Hesitated quite a bit before the crux move on the first pitch as my last pro was below me and off to the right. Finally made the move and found higher jugs (phew).