Ascents of Checkmate

I noticed there’s a block just 6m up the third pitch, before the first crux, which feels loose and can be moved back and forth. Has anyone noticed that and thought it was a hazard? Looked sketchy to me and I nearly shat my pants. Combined 3/4 pitch as recommended on the guidebook and finished climbing the 5 pitch of the bard

Forgot to tick it the first time I did it, was a mega mental journey and turned me off climbing for the rest of the day.

Now with an extensive rack of good gear and having done 2 laps up it before, this third one was actually quite enjoyable

Run pitches 1-2 and 3-4 together. The crux pitch has some runout sections but nothing worst than a lot of other climbs. Reasonable protected

Got p1/p3. Fun!

Got a tad lost on pitch 3

Wowsa..that third pitch would be a wild ride if 17/18 was your limit. Pretty run out, but amazing climbing with mega exposure. Finished up last pitch of The Bard.

First route in Australia! After hitching from Melbourne with Jackie Bernardi, I met two Kiwi guys in the campground and joined their late afternoon romp up Checkmate. We each led a pitch making 3 pitches. I led the first. We started quite late before dark so I ended up following the last pitch in the dark...felt hard for the grade and I fell once womp womp.

Did this in two long pitches. Super awesome climbing. One of my favourites. Gear wasn't great.

In 2 pitches. Chill day seconding for once!

Some spooky committing moments, where gear is so so. Some fun moves too.

I didn't find enough bomber placements on the 3rd pitch to get through the crux moves with confidence. Fantastic technical climbing nevertheless.

Lovely warm up, great view, excellent exposure. Should have put sunscreen on legs.

Lead P2

In two pitches

Great climb, finished up the chimney on the last pitch of Bard and went left, much nicer finish than the jug haul out right.

Lead the crux pitch. Not sure about the "R' tag; I found it very well protected. Two fun crux moves and some good exposure.

Pretty exciting leading the crux pitch with my approachis and no chalk.

Justin led the last pitch, solid lead.

fun route with a few loose rocks to mess with you on the crux pitch (3). 4th pitch was finishing The bard, chicken heads only!

Start of an awesome day out, did in 3 pitches as per guidebook and linked up last pitch of Bard to get to Flinders lane. Cool airy traverse on the second pitch, and some tricky moves on the crux pitch. Led P1,3

Crux is committing, will put hairs on your chest. Some really nice moves.

Pretty solid climb. 2nd pitch 1. Lead pitches 2, 3 & 4. (split the last pitch in 2, definitely helps if you're running low on gear.)

Lots of cobwebs!