Ascents in South East by Cameron Semple

Damn. Couple of unticks today.

Fun route. A few hangs.

Nice route. Had to keep the feet working through the steep stuff.

Pumpier than I remembered.

Another lead attempt. High point probably the same, but made it to the top without pulling on gear this time at least. Need more thrutch endurance.

Nice route. Successfully dodged or caught half of Chris’ rack after his gear loop snapped while leading.

Fun route up through the chimney.

What a day! Slept under the stars at the lookout the night before. Rapping at 6:15. Route finding all went well. Didn't feel like we were slow, but must have been as we didn't get back to the packs at the top of the rap gully till about 10:15. Trudged back to the car because of forecast rain. Said rain did arrive, so ended up driving back to Hobart as well. Mega day!

Stegasaurus was nowhere near 55m the way we did it. Maybe because we skirted around a couple of pillars to find the "squeeze through to the big spike" bit. Worked well. Chimneys were ok and protectable with slings. Especially if you're tall enough to reach the first spike before comitting to the step across.

Little Jaycar walky talkies were super helpful. No problems with comms all day.

Really good pitch in a great position. Found it on point for the grade, and good pro. Probably felt a little harder due to backpack etc. Initial split is way bigger than fist sized, but can be protected with small cams on the left face. I used a full double rack on this pitch, but am a wus.

Nice pitch. Straight into it though with some gravelly dolerite face holds.

Mega classic! Proud dog for me. Took a stick clip and clipped 3 bolts through the lower half to keep things moving. Still really pleased to have made it to the top. Just an amazing place to find yourself.

A few top rope laps. Chris' sneaky fist jam was key. Top is heartbreaking! Almost a clean lap on the last one.

Great fun! The tree down low could do with a little prune, but the climbing sneaks around it well. Two large movable blocks just before the top out on the second pitch. One is sitting on the last chockstone in the chimney, the other is to the right. Big tall thing you want to bridge off. Be wary. Hard to not use either of them.

Opened the account on this. First time even attempting trad at this grade on lead. High point was probably a bit further than expected. Full on!

Pumpy! Pulled on more gear than rock just to get up this with some light left.

First pitch is certainly spooky stepping around the arete straight into steepness. I lead the second. Classic pipes steep mixed bag route up a broken crack system. Jugs, crimps, flared jams, good jams, sequencey feet. Gave it a red hot go, but a foot popped unexpectedly and whipped onto a black totem. Seems to always be the black! From there on it was anything goes as the rain was starting and my arms were pulped.

Climbed some of the first pitch and some of the second to access Improbability Drive.

Punchy little climb. Good fun

Bit awkward and off-balance, but good holds appear and keep it ok for the grade.

Absolute classic! One of the best pure crack pitches around this grade I’ve done on the mountain.

Felt like I snuck up on this one today. After work session on a beautiful evening. Jumped straight on, went way better than expected, back home in time for dinner and tv on the couch. 👍

Bloody hell. Struggle town! Maybe one day.

So stoked! Such a classic line and right on my current limit, making it a really satisfying send. Super pumped and nearly peeled off, but milked the rests so hard.

Old school 16. Some thrutching, some foliage (but not too much) and some cool moves. Lead both pitches and exited left into the top of Brown Madonna. Beautiful after work adventure with a cloud inversion sunset below. What a place!

So good. I’ve said this before, but lead next time!

Nice little route!

Lead the first pitch which was a bit damp and vegetated. Fell seconding the offwidth start to the second pitch. Second pitch follows a really cool (although a little unnerving) feature.

First lead attempt. No surprises here. Felt hard and pumpy, but keen to keep at it. Couple of top rope shots as well.

Harder than I remembered! Great route though.

Bottom half was soggy. Gear didn't inspire confidence in shallow, wet, flaring placements. 2 nice jamb moves, then found the top section hard. Take an extra 0.5 next time. One fall at the top.

Packs a lot into a short little climb. Was pretty pumped at the end of the day and had to use the tree.

Untick

Remembering how to place gear!