The Dams (the directors cut)

After the short lived success of last weekend Ben and I decided to head up to the Dams once again, to see what its like when you have more than a couple of hours of climbing time. After an early Saturday night we were up and out of the tent (don’t ask why we were in a tent) we got our stuff together and left just before 11 AM.

The walk in was greatly reduced by some magnificent four wheel driving by Ben (Thanks Gill for the fourbee). Apart from one little area where Ben started considering how he was going to inform Gill about the location of the fourbee the off road trip was successful.

Unfortunately climbing wasn’t as great as we had hoped due to time flying by. We still managed to get a few great climbs in though. Bens’ first fall with me belaying provided me with some quality entertainment. I’m still unsure if watching Ben redo the four meters of the “hard section” again was funnier than listening to Ben politely inform me that my belaying skills are just short of being poor.

Overall it was a great day out, I led my first 19 and we completed three different climbs (unfortunately the lack of bolt plates restricted our choices). There’s a couple of photos of Ben preparing the gourmet lunch at the base of the main wall. But Bens driving skills are shown and worth checking out below. I didn’t get a chance to take any while he got stuck on the same section.

Photos

Doing The Dams

Two weeks of waiting will almost send anyone crazy, but the wait contributed to a great day (afternoon) out. After waiting two weeks with brand spanking new gear Ben was more than ready to get it all dirty. Finally the two week rain spell had finished, so it was decided that we would head up Bells Line to The Dams, to see how effective all those hours in the gym were. The trip was hindered by Ben considering pulling out because muscle man Stan wasn’t going to be there to climb for us more girly man (Ben and myself).

A late call was made on Sunday morning to head out. After numerous hitches, bolt plates were gathered and we were on our way (at roughly 2.00pm) we arrived to bid farewell to some others. Time was against us. Ben lead the first climb on sisters of Fatima (16), which was very impressive considering it was his first led climb (not really just saying this to make Ben feel good). After we knocked this climb over we decided to check out jug city… “Too easy” exclaimed Ben, so we than discovered problems with another one (can’t recall the name), which saw Ben down climb. After this we knocked over an “easy” 18 (again no name) overall it was a great day out.

The day out at The Dams was great and I’m sure we will be back very soon, with perhaps more time than a couple of hours.

Photos

Frontline: Where is it exactly?

Thursday 12th of July gave myself, Ben P. and Stan (Ben B.) the perfect opportunity to head over to Baulkham Hills to check out the small (boulders) climbs at Frontline.

After I confidently lead the party astray twice, we finally came across the climbs, (thanks mostly to Stan, and Ben's bible).

After several unsuccesful attempts at the 'harder stuff' we had a good attempt at the easier stuff. Due to rain earlier in the week a large area was too wet to climb, and with the help of a required lift we finished up quite quickly.

Photos are here