Ascents in Sand River by Josh Ellis

Nearly fell off like the second move somehow! Other than that felt pretty comfortable. I’d probably give it 23 tbh. Fun lil jaunt to finish good day of climbing.

The Arapilian esque rock only lasts for about 2 metres. 😂 Grade is pretty concentrated!

Fun lil number!

Throwy bouldery moves at the bottom, hard if you were wee I expect.

Bit of a mossy quest, alright at the top though.

 

1. Could not work out a sequence for the top at all. Did not feel possible.

2. After watching Will Gregson and gsmizz find sequences that worked for them, tried Will’s on the second burn and to my surprise it went. 🤷‍♀️

 

1. Putting the draws on, spent quite a while trying the crux section a few different ways, none really felt particularly decent percentage.

2. After seeing Will Gregson nearly flash the thing, I settled on the beta he used, tried real hard, hit the jug at the crux but cut feet and dropped with a suitable amount of screaming. Pulled back on and finished, came down feeling like it was do-able.

3. Was pretty efficent up to the rest but definetly was feeling the previous goes, went up to the crux determined and pulled it off through sheer stubbornness that I didn't want Willy to beat me.

First climb of the day, felt miles better while fresh! Will Gregson put the draws on this time too which definitely helped. Pretty happy with this red dot.

Fun sideways tomfoolery! Dropped the onsight but took a couple of tries to sus the beta, so don’t reckon I would’ve gotten it either way. Second “go” was silly mistake down low. Third go felt pretty cruisey with the right beta.

Two goes. Tried to avoid using the undercling at the crux on my onsight, turns out I definitely need to use it!

Fell at the crux putting the draws on first go, tried going left instead of right.

Top was a lil' scrappy second go but nice to change an old dog face to a red dot.

Love the bouldery bottom on this one, bloody hard/beta intensive crux though!

Easiest 23 I've ever fallen off of. I've even seen someone do it before so god knows how I missed the huge jug. 🤷‍♀️

Great roof section, even better fixed hanger!

Tried this about a year ago but the crack was seeping so I was a bit spooked. Felt good today, went first try, fun warm up.

I mean I was trying to do the other one...

Felt like gym climbing

Grade 26 climbing + grade 28 rope drag = grade 27 I guess. 😂

Really fun climbing through the roof, but the rope drag was heinous first go, faffed around re-equipping it second then got pumped out faffing with spinning alpines on the third.

Moves came together super quick though, basically just the lip that took some figuring out. The crux is rope drag/equipping faff.

Rope drag reduction beta:

Unclip draws 1 + 2 once you're past them, extend draw 5 (the stealth bolt in mini roof) with a double length dogbone (NOT an alpine cos they suck to clip on an overhang 😂) then same again for the "middle" roof draw (or just skip?) another double length for the last bolt. Do the last move and DON'T clip the chains just touch 'em and whip as the drag/angle on the rope on the lower off is hectic.

Looks do-able, actually isn't tho...

Absolute classic! Got the moves but lacked the power endurance to link it, I'll be back...

Bloody tiring work putting the draws on!

Struggled with a bit of forearm cramp next two goes. 💪

Getting over the roof chucked me off a coupe of times, tricker than it looks!

Crimpy as! Nearly flashed it but missed the last move, meant to go back and get it with more skin, never got round to it.

The "23" curse continues. Maybe something's fallen off because I tried the crux everywhich way and literally couldn't do the moves free. 🤷‍♀️

Really cool but the crux was sopping wet!

I'd like to say I was just cleaning the start of "skywalker" but I actually couldn't clip the chains on this lol