Ascents in Arapiles by Poppy

Couldn't do the nails start, and not what I signed up for at grade 18. Traversed a meter or two to the left and went up at a couple of cam placements which was difficult enough anyway. Was good climbing that way. Chockstone staircase finish.

Linked second and third pitches with mega drag. Zara did an extra piss ahem pitch.

Sunrise

Sick stemming and jams. Pro-a-plenty. Love it. Waiting for Dunes.

Slimy slippery polish in the crack. Not a huge fan, but it is good. Would second, but not lead again.

Got up to the last buldge before after getting completely bottled below. Rested on gear rather than committing to the crux on hands that could barely open a 'biner. Need to remember to place a purple cam in the crux crack/ pocket reaching from the flat jug to the right. Before then in the big crack, place a red cam in the pocket below. Overall happy with my effort despite being very unhappy at the time. I think the right decision was made. Had a high left foot to get past the lower crux. Must try again. Single rock of cams up to #3 and single rack of nuts with pink tricam should do.

Sustained pump management with good gear. I liked this. Felt close to the ground all the time so I placed a lot.

Nothing to write home about. Crux seemed to be small hold pulling unless I missed some beta.

Some awkward beta through the lower corner, but moves throughout the rest were otherwise a delight. Impressive lead by Josh, I would have been squirming. Good composure.

Superb. Happy with how I climbed this, not as long as I was expecting. Crux moves provoke thought and commitment. Ripper. Thanks for following on this Josh.

Up on Josh's gear. Pretty fun! Started further left than expected.

Not particularly memorable

Zoom

Adequate gear and nice rope anchor option at top.

Fwoah, reaaaaally good. Lead as one pitch. Bomber gear and deliciously technical moves requiring some thought. Not a drop of water in sight.

Has some entertaining stuff at the roof which would be very photogenic from the didgeridoo pipe I reackon.. Less gear than Dirge.

Simply divine. Get me back on this. Just the first pitch, second didn't look enticing.

Way easier than it looks.

The stemming is cool up top of first pitch.

Really quite good. Excellent gear when you need it.

Nice enough.

Double rack of cams would be nice but not necessary.

Shame about the last pitch, because this route is fab! Huge pitches and mostly decent gear. Tricams galore on second pitch and a microcam protects the last move. Beaut' day for it.

Fast simul while we waited for Driftwood-Antigone

Sandbag. Lowered off the first rap as intended. Half offwidth, half crack. Didn't have the greatest time though the one fist jam was good.

Still a classic, and harder than I remember. Josh took a nice big whip on his first attempt!

Gear spaced but good when it's there on the first pitch. Rap chains at the top can be done in one 60m rap or two 30m raps. Better than you would be lead to believe.

Cool one move!

Middle (laziest) of the three.

Loved this and would come back to lead it to get to AdF first belay.

Only climbed pitch one; ran out of daylight after spending too long working out the moves off the deck. Fantastic climbing above some questionable gear. Would love to come back and finish the other pitch(s). For me the first move involved a dyno to the sloping hole, then mantling from this up to further tricky slab moves with no pro. Real fear.

Josh got the good pitches. Fun outing and we made excellent time. Would do again.

Not the easiest approach. Would do the third pitch direct up the corner next time. Lacing up the zigzag line would cause a lot of drag. There are some alternate, more direct options that are a little more difficult but also look well protected.

Drag not too bad on the first pitch so long as you are clever. Bring a bolt plate if you choose to use the carrot. Had a magical moment watching the pines drop their pollen in unison. I wonder if there is a more elegant way of doing pitch three than worming your way up, points loss for me on style. I found the pro a bit tricky to place also.

Seemed a shame that it didn't get three stars until it bailed off left avoiding the attractive cracks of Horn Piece above. A shame to pike off that way. Bomber pro.

One move, but it's a good move! Reasonable protection and the exit is novel.

The juggy side pulls are a delight to hold. Too much to ask for a rack of ten medium blue/ yellow nuts?

Harder in the rain! Solid lead by Liam

Found a fun thread on the traverse to place a sling with a nut tool. The step around the roof is exciting.

Take me back to jam school! Forces you to use them.

Still just as thrilling on second. Tried it facing right this time, harder or am I fatter?

Belay ledge at the top is choice.