Ascents of Punks in the Gym

Note that a 14 year old can get to 3rd clip barefoot and in the dark without a head torch guessing Where the holds are

Fell off the bird bath from the ground! And climbed from bird bath to top so I did it in two parts yewww

Improved my start and end sequences

Did all the moves

All the moves except for the hand foot match done. Psyched!

Up around 3rd/4th bolt. Really enjoyable moves. Dream route.

Whoop! What a route! Super psyched on the style and the lessons it taught me. Given the history it was always a dream route. Quite the mental battle in the end. This trip (my 3rd on the route) I managed to pretty quickly cruise up to and through the birdbath. But I fell 9 times above the birdbath!, mostly trying to match hands after getting my foot on it. Tough to match this route as a lesson in technique and flow, especially the top half. Thanks to Marie for the many patient belays and to Will Monks for working it with me last trip.

Touched the birdbath while taking photos of Ryan, so definitely blew the onsight

Punk

Punks shot #2. Hot, face melting. Was mostly keen to experience the top section. Climbed clean to below the heel move, pulled through. Climbed from the rest and stuck the drive-by, couldn't stand up, then pulled through. Did the rest of moves, not nicely, with screaming skin. Then drive 11 hours home!

1.5 hours dogging around, experiencing a piece of climbing history. Did all moves up to and including the birdbath drive-by. Struggled after, didn't really get stood up. Also struggled on the lower heel move, kinda managed it once. Toasted by the time I lowered off. A 20+ year dream to get on this route.

So it begins.

Another bunch of attempts over 3 days. Fell off going for the bird-bath four times - each time a bit closer. Wish it was closer to home!

You can’t not climb Punks on its birthday!!

This route is so unique and a lot of fun. ~8 attempts this trip over ~4 days. Done in two sections. I'll be back!

PUUUUUUNKS!! a lot of thoughts on this one - a real shame i couldn't finish it with Joe after starting to work it together a year ago. here's hoping you get out soon mate! i think the examination line that gets thrown around is pretty accurate. Really had to do my homework on it! felt nearly impossible with incremental improvements until suddenly i was on the crimps up top trying not to spew from nervousness... Feels kind of surreal climbing out here at the moment but very happy to find a moment of clarity at the chains for a minute there. Thanks to everyone who helped out with a catch or bits of beta!

Getting higher percentages on individual moves. Managed to do all the moves in one burn, and getting close on sticking the pinch move from the ground. Next step is to get more linkage on the crux

Did all the moves today. That’s gotta count for something. Time to start putting it all together

And so it begins. Ain’t no chance I’ll be logging every attempt but better keep some attempt at a record so I know when to give up

First bolt is an easy clip

Finally passed...

Chris was kind enough to let us use his rope

Did all but 2 moves, would be a great 27 if it didn't have those 2 moves...

Dogged the buggery out of this in 1992, got some good linkage but no cigar. Tearing my shoulder on Looksharp on Dec crag pu an end to that.

FFA.