Last Saturday (1/8) we kicked off our climbing trips for the semester with a laid back day of bolt clipping at Shipley Upper. The weather was just about perfect except for a bit of wind later in the day and everyone had the chance to get a good session in. In the morning the grey slab area was popular, with most of the lower grade routes situated there, but after lunch the action was centred on the Jack High straight area. Tom set off up “Lardy Lady’s Lats” and Ian was positioned at the anchors on “Jack High”, preparing to capture some photos of the action. I also managed to get a box seat to watch Tom get into a horrendous teetering mantle position as he attempted to get onto the narrow ledge containing the anchors. After much swearing and not too little shaking he managed to grab that sidepul and balance his way up, it was all I could do to resist reminding him of his epic on “Scorpion” at mount Arapiles last year.

It was a good turn out and everyone had an enjoyable day, capped off by fish n’ chips at Blackheath. I look forward to seeing everyone out there on future trips.

Michael

Photos by Ian Conway Lamb