Ascents as sport by Mark Gamble

Couldn't manage the crux.

Couldn't make the crux.

Got it second time round!

The beached whale couldn't pull it off first go. :-/

First lead since the operation and it went well.

An honest 14. Trachyte, rather sharp in places. Fab view from the anchors.

Very nice climbing on big flakes. Definitely NOT a 15. 12ish, maybe a 13 at most.

First climb in 3mths or so. Knee still pretty tender. Got into trouble above the 2nd bolt, & ended up clipping one on Seeker, then resting on the 3rd bolt. Nice beginner route, trustworthy rock.

Had to step down, & reset, but got it in the end.

Took 2 attempts to pull it off.

Warm-up lap.

Easy lap up this, mostly to get a TR on the 16.

Easy lap up it.

Massive exposure. I consider left to right easier than the reverse.

It's cleaned up a lot in the intervening years. Pretty pathetic effort. Got stuck at the 4th bolt.

Rather heady exposure.

Nice moves over the crux.

2 grades harder than the left to right traverse. Tricky moves after the 2nd bolt.

Nice moves on this route.

Lovely traverse. Nice holds, nice moves.

Nice climbing.

Nice easy climbing.

Very straight forward, compared to the 8 next door.

Was a tricky crux, with the key footholds slippery. But figured out the move, after about 10mins of attempts. Then unclipped the bolt from the ledge above.

No biggie. Just carefully up it, with the rock a bit slimy.

Bit wet n slimy.

2 rests. The worst part is: I can do it clean, but lack the motivation.

1 rest at the lower crux. About 3 rests at the upper crux.

Solid effort by Max to attempt to lead it. Got it clean on second. Whoohoo! Old timers 91 coming up!

Second tick of the day, nice.

So nice to see the hard work in the gym paying off! 3 clean ascents! Wow!

Couldn't pull the crux moves. Very disappointing. In spite of the gym work-outs.

4 rests, one quickdraw grab. Should be ready for Whistling Kite next week.

Almost came off at the 2nd bolt. First time I think(?), I've gone straight up over the bulge.

Another battle on my hands. But made it. The weeping bit at the top didn't help. :-/

A battle royale, but got there in the end. Still very much sore from Urban climb Tuesday.

Made it to the crux. Too tired.

Not happening today. :-(

couldn't pull through the top moves this time.

Pulled off the crux ! Wonder of wonders.

Couldn't get past the crux.

A bit less falling this time.

Basically; every single crux 3-4x. Fell my way up it. A solid work-out for sure. GF in the background, and 5hrs sleep, hmmmm. 😞

STILL can't get it clean. Grrrrr. 😡

Quick run up it, more to get at the anchors on Playschool/Mantilt.

Quick run up it with the peanut gallery bitching & moaning below.

Love this route, nice moves on it.

Nice to do a lap on this.

Nice lap up it.

Take a lap, still a scary mantle.

A lap up it, to set-up the top belay.

Try to keep it going.