Ascents as trad by Mark Gamble

Several hangs, mostly to check-out gear.

First time in about 20yrs, but the rain meant I had to retreat.

Access to Cave 5.

Seconding Travis & checking the gear.

Checking Travis' gear.

Access to Super Directissima.

The general consensus seems to be that this is the route.

Pitches 1,2,3 & 5 were good. Pitch 4 a nightmare of broken, shitty rock + vegetation.

According to the grade, I've not climbed the correct route. Definitely nothing harder than 4-5ish. Hmmmm. 🤔

Couple of ascents needed to get the potting mix up.

3 rests, but hot day.

A few rests at the 4th bolt. The move into the alcove stymied me.

Couldn't get the next crux, damn. Grrrr 🤬👹

Tough, but we made it.

Basically a fall fest at both cruxes.

Couldn't work out the crux moves. A traverse is involved. 20yrs & 1mth since I was on it last.

Quick lap to set-up the top belay.

On impulse, in the rain, whilst walking back to the car.

Couldn't get a clean ascent. F'ed up old man. :-(

Always up for this delightful trad lead. Gear is good to just below anchors.

Couldn't get past the lower crux.

Forgot my headlamp, so backed off after making the first ledge.

Made it to the first crux.

Couldn't manage the 2nd crux - still too hot. And the GF.

2-3 rests, but made it! A May Zing.

And a 2nd clean ascent!

Inso-mania + Arthur was visiting. :-(

Was all going swimmingly untill I bombed-out at the balancy move halfway.

2 attempts. Both ship wrecks. But got as far as the lip on #2. I think 16 is not unreal for this route.

Too hot. Couldn't do it. Was almost suffering from heat stroke by this time: 11:30. Thx Pete for raping down & cleaning the gear.

Max putting his brand new trad gear to use!

And a retie mission at the tree.

Ground-up measurement of the entire route.

Very good lead by Max of p1 in slimey, wet conditions. Pulled the plug after seeing p2 & p3 were just as bad.

P4 just gets better and better. Minimal gear with to travel light.

Good lead by Hilton, good gear placements.

Couldn't manage the crux without a rest. 4.5hrs sleep just doesn't cut it. :-(

Good lead by Hilton.

Almost didn't make it clean! Tough exit.

Good lead by Daniel.

Based on the previous 2 routes we did here, both listed as "16", I felt confident I could lead this. Unfortunately..... it turned out to be a solid 16 & the arthritis was biting. Bailed at the 5th bolt. :-(

Brilliant rock, brilliant climbing. Easily the best, so far, at the Grey Wall. Nice confident lead Gen.

Lovely climbing over grippy rock.

Something of an epic day: we didn't top-out till around 19:30.

New mat installed around the tree on pitch 3. Good job done. Hopefully it will keep the tree going another 8 years.

Swapped leads with Audrey.

Got to the crux without too much issue, and that's where the holidays ended.

Just glad to make it to the chains.

:-/

Up to crux, no more partying.

:-(

Max's 2nd trad lead - went a lot better. Helped Max build the trad anchor, then scooted back down to second it.

Had to have a go at this whilst in the neighborhood. Certainly lives up to the reputation: some of the biggest holds in S.E. Qld.

Max's first trad lead! Well done.

Got through the crux twice, but couldn't sustain up the wall.

Need to start climbing again!

:-/

3 attempts, but couldn't get past the boulder start. Will I ever live down the shame of it?

:-(