TRIP REPORTS & PHOTOS
Note: this page is NOT well maintained. We run a lot more trips than listed here!
Anybody Keen For Echo? (April-May 2021)
“And more than echoes talk along the walls”
- Alexander Pope
A brief account of our Echo Crack (25) adventure.
Day 1:
Zac called late one night to ask me:
“Dude I’ve kinda lost my shoes, but…
Echo Crack ground-up tomorrow?”
Who would I be to refuse…?
Quickly settling our emotions:
“Dude I’m frothing, are you stoked?”
We set quickly into motion:
Unprovokedly revoked.
Day 2:
Nothing to declare. I soloed
(Roped of course) the last few feet
For pitch four was so fantastic
That it warranted repeat.
Day 3:
As our punishment for trying
To rehearse the route on rap
We suspended (almost dying)
In a web of ropey crap.
But behold! We had a wildcard:
Busting out the Nikhilesh,
I was brought to terra firma.
Duly saved in soul and flesh.
(N.B. don’t rap down the AIABS anchors lol. You will end up in space!)
Day 4:
“Anybody keen for echo?”
Read my message in the chat.
Patrick Sparks replied elated:
“Yea I am, but where is that?”
As the April nights grew longer
Daylight savings daylight stole
Zac climbed zilch. But I, victorious,
Hang-dogged proudly from the hole.
Day 5:
Now at midnight all the agents
Of the superhuman crew
Come outside and round up all those
Who send harder than they do.
So we climbed pitch four in darkness,
Reeling from a small mishap:
They say we forgot our headlamps.
We say: “training for El Cap”.
Day 6:
Shutter: “click, click”. Check my focus.
I believe that Zac has sent!
Photographication progress
Wrapping up six days well-spent.
Through the cobwebs of the County
Past the Glen and Wentworth Falls
Joyous cries of celebration
Echoed loudly from the wall.
Big thank you to Zac, Sean, Patrick, Gavin and Nikhilesh
- Alexander Pope
A brief account of our Echo Crack (25) adventure.
Day 1:
Zac called late one night to ask me:
“Dude I’ve kinda lost my shoes, but…
Echo Crack ground-up tomorrow?”
Who would I be to refuse…?
Quickly settling our emotions:
“Dude I’m frothing, are you stoked?”
We set quickly into motion:
Unprovokedly revoked.
Day 2:
Nothing to declare. I soloed
(Roped of course) the last few feet
For pitch four was so fantastic
That it warranted repeat.
Day 3:
As our punishment for trying
To rehearse the route on rap
We suspended (almost dying)
In a web of ropey crap.
But behold! We had a wildcard:
Busting out the Nikhilesh,
I was brought to terra firma.
Duly saved in soul and flesh.
(N.B. don’t rap down the AIABS anchors lol. You will end up in space!)
Day 4:
“Anybody keen for echo?”
Read my message in the chat.
Patrick Sparks replied elated:
“Yea I am, but where is that?”
As the April nights grew longer
Daylight savings daylight stole
Zac climbed zilch. But I, victorious,
Hang-dogged proudly from the hole.
Day 5:
Now at midnight all the agents
Of the superhuman crew
Come outside and round up all those
Who send harder than they do.
So we climbed pitch four in darkness,
Reeling from a small mishap:
They say we forgot our headlamps.
We say: “training for El Cap”.
Day 6:
Shutter: “click, click”. Check my focus.
I believe that Zac has sent!
Photographication progress
Wrapping up six days well-spent.
Through the cobwebs of the County
Past the Glen and Wentworth Falls
Joyous cries of celebration
Echoed loudly from the wall.
Big thank you to Zac, Sean, Patrick, Gavin and Nikhilesh
Brandon & The Cripples ascend to new heights on their tour of Tasmania (2021)
“I think I'm going to send
I think it's today, yeah
The climb that's driving me mad
Is never going away”
The opening lyrics of Brandon & The Cripples’ latest single “Ticket to Climb” caught us a little off guard, not least because of the uncanny similarity with a certain Beatles song. In this exclusive interview with 5.15fm editor Mortrey Ning, the rock’n’fall hitmakers come clean on the ups and downs of life, touring and creating your soundtrack to sendtown!
Mortrey Ning: Why did you choose to tour Tassie?
The Cripples: Tasmania has always been on the radar - it has some of the largest venues in Australia, and requires the ability to improvise and adapt to changes. We are a rock band (naturally), but Brandon is a big jazz fan so this interested all of us.
And being COVID-bound for all of last year, we were honestly excited just to get on a plane and visit somewhere new! Even booking luggage felt special after a long break from travel. First world problems, we know. But we’ve missed it so much!
Ning: So where did you go?
The Cripples: We started the tour with five exhausting nights on Frenchman’s Cap, which involved carrying our instruments for 20km up steep jungle for two days each way. We ended up playing only one song - “Tierry le Fronde” but it was an unforgettable experience. Finishing up after sunset and engulfed deep in the mist, only the beams of our headlamps split the alien scene. I imagined that we were in a sideways sci-fi movie where time stood still and gravity was the only constant.
Ning: Your debut single “Rock!” dropped on more than a few excited ears (and fingers), but I hear this caused some trouble to band members. How did you manage?
The Cripples: That’s actually the story behind our band name! Unfortunately Zi’s finger was injured by rockfall on Frenchman’s so we returned early and went straight to the hospital. They did a great job, and she’ll be back to playing the chalk bag in a few weeks!
Ning: So you had to complete the tour without a chalk bag player?
The Cripples: Yeah, quite a challenge, especially since we usually encore with “Sweaty Palms” which has a chalk bag solo at each rest.
Ning: Any time to relax?
The Cripples: You can’t spell Tasmania without “mania” - it was a pretty crazy few weeks. We spent a few days at Fortescue Bay playing on the Moai. Then Brandon and Zi hiked out to the Totem Pole for a rest day (while Anton was um… crippled).
After Zi left back for classes, the band continued to Ben Lomond as a duo. In the absence of public transport, various options were considered, not least among which was to catch and tack up a team of echidnas. Eventually we hired a car but next time it may be prudent to drive down as having one turned out to be indispensable.
Ben Lomond still doesn't feel like a real place. Big. Cold. Misty... Epic! The sun traced the northern escarpment perfectly, rising over the Pavillion each day and wishing us good night as the final rays disappeared towards Launceston. Anton even had time to write a song at Ben, calling it Celebration of Uncertainty. It’s pretty short but hard to play right (thin hands 21).
Overall it was a unique trip with lots of lessons learned. We’d really like to thank tour managers Jemma and Andrew for the support (and shelter) over those two weeks.
And um… we’ll put the spare food in the freezer next time... No seriously, we’ll do that, I promise…
About:
Brandon Harding is possibly best known for the Harding Slot - a notorious pitch of 5.11 squeeze chimney on Astroman in Yosemite. He’s kept quiet about why he left the climbing world for songwriting, but we suspect it’s the same inspiration that moved John Ewbank.
At Ledge Studios in Sydney, pre-production for the band’s new material has already begun. The Cripples are still undecided on title, but rumoured ideas like “Arapiles” and “The Bungles” leave us thirsty for more!
Originally published: https://antonkorsun.com/trips/tasmania-feb-2021
The Cripples: You can’t spell Tasmania without “mania” - it was a pretty crazy few weeks. We spent a few days at Fortescue Bay playing on the Moai. Then Brandon and Zi hiked out to the Totem Pole for a rest day (while Anton was um… crippled).
After Zi left back for classes, the band continued to Ben Lomond as a duo. In the absence of public transport, various options were considered, not least among which was to catch and tack up a team of echidnas. Eventually we hired a car but next time it may be prudent to drive down as having one turned out to be indispensable.
Ben Lomond still doesn't feel like a real place. Big. Cold. Misty... Epic! The sun traced the northern escarpment perfectly, rising over the Pavillion each day and wishing us good night as the final rays disappeared towards Launceston. Anton even had time to write a song at Ben, calling it Celebration of Uncertainty. It’s pretty short but hard to play right (thin hands 21).
Overall it was a unique trip with lots of lessons learned. We’d really like to thank tour managers Jemma and Andrew for the support (and shelter) over those two weeks.
And um… we’ll put the spare food in the freezer next time... No seriously, we’ll do that, I promise…
About:
Brandon Harding is possibly best known for the Harding Slot - a notorious pitch of 5.11 squeeze chimney on Astroman in Yosemite. He’s kept quiet about why he left the climbing world for songwriting, but we suspect it’s the same inspiration that moved John Ewbank.
At Ledge Studios in Sydney, pre-production for the band’s new material has already begun. The Cripples are still undecided on title, but rumoured ideas like “Arapiles” and “The Bungles” leave us thirsty for more!
Originally published: https://antonkorsun.com/trips/tasmania-feb-2021
SURMC Trip to Arapiles (Victoria, Australia)
Point Perpendicular Club Trip 2016
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Beginners' trip to Barrenjoey, Palm Beach
One of our final club climbing trips of the year was a day out at Palm Beach. We set up top ropes in the morning, taught the beginners the ropes, had a BBQ at Pittwater then headed over to Palm Beach for some fun & easy bouldering.
One of our final club climbing trips of the year was a day out at Palm Beach. We set up top ropes in the morning, taught the beginners the ropes, had a BBQ at Pittwater then headed over to Palm Beach for some fun & easy bouldering.
Spillover Sunday: Beginner Lindfield Rocks Trip (March 15, 2015)
Despite rainy beginnings, and some minor train mishaps, a solid crew of about ten gathered at Lindfield Rocks this Sunday for the beginner’s spillover event. Top-ropes were set up on climbs in the morning. Experienced climbers tackled the overhang, and everyone gave the climbs their best shot. There was excitement en masse when three amongst the ranks of turned out to be boulderers at heart, topping out with great enthusiasm!
Rain threatened to destroy the top rope party, so with Pipe Dreams in sight we packed up and headed down. For many it was a first outdoor climb and boulder, whilst for the old time club members it was a chance to finally complete the problem. Pernilla proved to be a bouldering natural, pushing on and wowing us all despite scraped up fingers. Jose smashed out the entire problem (yeehaaah), Min and Daria pushed to tackle some evil moves, and a fair few of us developed a hatred for the dreaded pinch! We were given loads of time and patience to try moves. The experienced climbers gave great tips, demos and support so we all achieved much more than we thought we could. Craziness reigned in footwear choice (or lack thereof) and there were MORE some brilliant yet insane top-outs.
The weather held out, so with sore fingers and high spirits we headed back up to try some different (and easier!) routes. This was a good chance to practice belaying/climbing as a team. Chris patiently explained his trad gear to us fascinated newbies and the arvo gave people a solid chance to practice placing gear and watch some lead climbing. We packed up around five and luckily for us, the rain held out until the inventory was complete and we were tucked into our respective vehicles. The trip was a wonderful intro or return to outdoor climbing. It was well organized, and watching experienced climbers’ tackle some tough problems gave us all something to aspire to! It was a perfect opportunity to meet people, gain skills and have FUN! Huge thanks to our fab leaders for organizing the event - its safe to say we are all looking forward to our next outdoor adventure!
by Jemima Wilson
Despite rainy beginnings, and some minor train mishaps, a solid crew of about ten gathered at Lindfield Rocks this Sunday for the beginner’s spillover event. Top-ropes were set up on climbs in the morning. Experienced climbers tackled the overhang, and everyone gave the climbs their best shot. There was excitement en masse when three amongst the ranks of turned out to be boulderers at heart, topping out with great enthusiasm!
Rain threatened to destroy the top rope party, so with Pipe Dreams in sight we packed up and headed down. For many it was a first outdoor climb and boulder, whilst for the old time club members it was a chance to finally complete the problem. Pernilla proved to be a bouldering natural, pushing on and wowing us all despite scraped up fingers. Jose smashed out the entire problem (yeehaaah), Min and Daria pushed to tackle some evil moves, and a fair few of us developed a hatred for the dreaded pinch! We were given loads of time and patience to try moves. The experienced climbers gave great tips, demos and support so we all achieved much more than we thought we could. Craziness reigned in footwear choice (or lack thereof) and there were MORE some brilliant yet insane top-outs.
The weather held out, so with sore fingers and high spirits we headed back up to try some different (and easier!) routes. This was a good chance to practice belaying/climbing as a team. Chris patiently explained his trad gear to us fascinated newbies and the arvo gave people a solid chance to practice placing gear and watch some lead climbing. We packed up around five and luckily for us, the rain held out until the inventory was complete and we were tucked into our respective vehicles. The trip was a wonderful intro or return to outdoor climbing. It was well organized, and watching experienced climbers’ tackle some tough problems gave us all something to aspire to! It was a perfect opportunity to meet people, gain skills and have FUN! Huge thanks to our fab leaders for organizing the event - its safe to say we are all looking forward to our next outdoor adventure!
by Jemima Wilson
One for the boys (and the girls) (June 29, 2014)
The long awaited climbing trip for the boys (and girls) was relocated to Berowra due to snowfall (that is really possible in Australia!) in the Blue Mountains. Thanks to Jose’s and Georgie’s great effort the trip was perfectly organized and we were all looking forward to it.
We arrived at the car park at 9:30 and surprisingly no one was late. We started the day after a short briefing from Jose, dividing the group into experienced and non-experienced climbers in order to teach the beginners everything about outdoor sport climbing (such as lead belaying, creating and cleaning anchors). For some people it was their first outdoor trip and in order to get used to the rock, some top-rope routes were put up. Later on, more and more climbers started to lead other climbs and we discovered that there is a bit of a difference to top-roping, especially the freak out factor.
As usual, Chris took a lot of pictures from totally relaxed smiling to freaking out desperate faces, from calm to “elvising” legs and of course I hope we can see them on our homepage soon.
The Climbing-Oldies from the club (not Pete) were climbing their own challenges and we all got an impression of what is possible with more experience. I think this should be enough motivation for us to further train our climbing skills to be, hopefully, as good as they are one day.
The trip was amazing, we all that the chance to improve our climbing skills, to learn new things about climbing, meet other club members and have a good time together.
Einer für die Burschen (und Mädls) (Juni 29, 2014) Der von den Burschen langersehnte Klettertrip musste aufgrund von Schneefall (so etwas gibt es in Australien) von den Blue Mountains nach Berowra verlegt werden. Vorweg schon einmal ein allerherzliches Dankeschön an Jose und Georgie für Ihre Mühen, die Organisation war perfekt. Wir erreichten Berowra so gegen 9:30 und überraschenderweise waren diesmal alle pünktlich vor Ort und wir konnten unverzüglich losstarten. Die Gruppe wurde in mehrere Untergruppen aufgeteilt, sodass die erfahrenen Kletterer unter uns den Anfängern die Kunst des Sportklettern (richtiges Sichern, Vorstiegklettern, Bauen und Entfernen des Ankers) beibringen konnten. Da einige von uns zum ersten Mal im Freien kletterten, wurden Top-Rope Routen installiert um sich zuerst einmal an den Fels heranzutasten. Nach und nach wurden die ersten Vorstiegversuche, teilweise erfolgreich, teilweise auch nicht, unternommen. Von entspannenden Gesichtern bis zu Panikattacken wurde natürlich alles von Chris fotografiert und kann hoffentlich bald auf der Homepage bestaunt werden. Die Kletter-Oldies (nicht Pete) suchten in der Zwischenzeit größere Herausforderungen und wir konnten Sie dann auch beim Klettern dieser bestaunen. Richtig unglaublich welche Routen geklettert wurden und es sollte für uns alle Motivation genug sein, nicht auf der faulen Haut zu liegen und brav weiter zu trainieren. Der Ausflug war ein voller Erfolg, nicht nur weil das Wetter auch mitspielte, sondern weil wir alle definitiv viel gelernt haben, neue Kollegen näher kennengelernt haben und unsere Klettererfahrungen austauschen konnten.
by Thomas Skazedonigg
The long awaited climbing trip for the boys (and girls) was relocated to Berowra due to snowfall (that is really possible in Australia!) in the Blue Mountains. Thanks to Jose’s and Georgie’s great effort the trip was perfectly organized and we were all looking forward to it.
We arrived at the car park at 9:30 and surprisingly no one was late. We started the day after a short briefing from Jose, dividing the group into experienced and non-experienced climbers in order to teach the beginners everything about outdoor sport climbing (such as lead belaying, creating and cleaning anchors). For some people it was their first outdoor trip and in order to get used to the rock, some top-rope routes were put up. Later on, more and more climbers started to lead other climbs and we discovered that there is a bit of a difference to top-roping, especially the freak out factor.
As usual, Chris took a lot of pictures from totally relaxed smiling to freaking out desperate faces, from calm to “elvising” legs and of course I hope we can see them on our homepage soon.
The Climbing-Oldies from the club (not Pete) were climbing their own challenges and we all got an impression of what is possible with more experience. I think this should be enough motivation for us to further train our climbing skills to be, hopefully, as good as they are one day.
The trip was amazing, we all that the chance to improve our climbing skills, to learn new things about climbing, meet other club members and have a good time together.
Einer für die Burschen (und Mädls) (Juni 29, 2014) Der von den Burschen langersehnte Klettertrip musste aufgrund von Schneefall (so etwas gibt es in Australien) von den Blue Mountains nach Berowra verlegt werden. Vorweg schon einmal ein allerherzliches Dankeschön an Jose und Georgie für Ihre Mühen, die Organisation war perfekt. Wir erreichten Berowra so gegen 9:30 und überraschenderweise waren diesmal alle pünktlich vor Ort und wir konnten unverzüglich losstarten. Die Gruppe wurde in mehrere Untergruppen aufgeteilt, sodass die erfahrenen Kletterer unter uns den Anfängern die Kunst des Sportklettern (richtiges Sichern, Vorstiegklettern, Bauen und Entfernen des Ankers) beibringen konnten. Da einige von uns zum ersten Mal im Freien kletterten, wurden Top-Rope Routen installiert um sich zuerst einmal an den Fels heranzutasten. Nach und nach wurden die ersten Vorstiegversuche, teilweise erfolgreich, teilweise auch nicht, unternommen. Von entspannenden Gesichtern bis zu Panikattacken wurde natürlich alles von Chris fotografiert und kann hoffentlich bald auf der Homepage bestaunt werden. Die Kletter-Oldies (nicht Pete) suchten in der Zwischenzeit größere Herausforderungen und wir konnten Sie dann auch beim Klettern dieser bestaunen. Richtig unglaublich welche Routen geklettert wurden und es sollte für uns alle Motivation genug sein, nicht auf der faulen Haut zu liegen und brav weiter zu trainieren. Der Ausflug war ein voller Erfolg, nicht nur weil das Wetter auch mitspielte, sondern weil wir alle definitiv viel gelernt haben, neue Kollegen näher kennengelernt haben und unsere Klettererfahrungen austauschen konnten.
by Thomas Skazedonigg
Women's climbing trip (May 17, 2014)
Last Saturday was the women’s climbing trip. We went to The Stables out near Pennant Hills and had a really great day. It was beautiful weather and super organised and I think everyone had a good time.
All 18 or so of us met at the carpark to The Stables at about 10:00am on Sunday. From here we sorted out gear (super efficiently as women do) and headed down to the crag. After a few scenic detours, and misleading cairns, we found the crag. We had the place to ourselves all day. We started with a general briefing of how the day was going to work and some instruction on belaying. Meanwhile a few top ropes were being set up on 14s and 15s. Everyone had a go on these climbs, with quite a people few doing their first outdoor route!
As we got into afternoon and everything was running smoothly a few more top ropes were set up, including a very interesting tree climb, and a few groups broke off to learn about sport leading from the experts (Georgie, Jose and Min). We learnt lots of important stuff, like creating anchors (safely), removing anchors (safely), falling (safely) and some really handy knots. Then we tried out some of our newly learned skills on the rock. As the sun started going down we did an efficient pack up, and reformed at the car park. We had a debriefing of the day’s events and got some useful tips like what sort of gear is good to buy and where to next.
All in all it was a really great day, with some really great women. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one! Big thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of this day.
By Jemma Herbert
Last Saturday was the women’s climbing trip. We went to The Stables out near Pennant Hills and had a really great day. It was beautiful weather and super organised and I think everyone had a good time.
All 18 or so of us met at the carpark to The Stables at about 10:00am on Sunday. From here we sorted out gear (super efficiently as women do) and headed down to the crag. After a few scenic detours, and misleading cairns, we found the crag. We had the place to ourselves all day. We started with a general briefing of how the day was going to work and some instruction on belaying. Meanwhile a few top ropes were being set up on 14s and 15s. Everyone had a go on these climbs, with quite a people few doing their first outdoor route!
As we got into afternoon and everything was running smoothly a few more top ropes were set up, including a very interesting tree climb, and a few groups broke off to learn about sport leading from the experts (Georgie, Jose and Min). We learnt lots of important stuff, like creating anchors (safely), removing anchors (safely), falling (safely) and some really handy knots. Then we tried out some of our newly learned skills on the rock. As the sun started going down we did an efficient pack up, and reformed at the car park. We had a debriefing of the day’s events and got some useful tips like what sort of gear is good to buy and where to next.
All in all it was a really great day, with some really great women. I'm definitely looking forward to the next one! Big thanks to everyone involved in the organisation of this day.
By Jemma Herbert
Inter-Club Trip (February, 2014)
This past weekend was the SURMC trip out to the Megalong Valley, jointly held with the UTS and UNSW outdoors clubs. Everyone showed up Friday night, pitched their tents, and began exchanging names and catching up over some post-road trip grub.
Waking to the cockatoo’s most beautiful song… the next morning started the weekend of climbing. After the obligatory Altitude Café meet up in Blackheath for coffee and pastries, the clubs split to the beginner/intermediate group, who did plenty of top roping and lead lessons at the Land of the Giants, and the advanced/trad group, who went to the Zig Zag crag to brush the cobwebs off the trad rack and smash out some sport lead routes. Much was learnt whether it was a first time climbing on real rock, a first time jamming cams into cracks, or shimmying up a crack foot first. As the sun set, the campfires were breathed to life and provided the focal point for rehashing all the routes we sent that day.
Sunday morning came all to quickly after the alcohol assisted sleep, the tents packed, and back to Blackheath we went (that café didn’t know what hit them). Our club took off to Barden’s Lookout and, despite the few tiny showers that had everyone second-guessing the weatherman’s attention span in school, had another spectacular day of climbing. Great views from the top and some first rate sport climbs for all levels were enjoyed.
Special thanks to Matt Macaulay and everyone else involved in organising this classic trip. I know we’re all looking forward to it next year!
By Kyle Schaltz
This past weekend was the SURMC trip out to the Megalong Valley, jointly held with the UTS and UNSW outdoors clubs. Everyone showed up Friday night, pitched their tents, and began exchanging names and catching up over some post-road trip grub.
Waking to the cockatoo’s most beautiful song… the next morning started the weekend of climbing. After the obligatory Altitude Café meet up in Blackheath for coffee and pastries, the clubs split to the beginner/intermediate group, who did plenty of top roping and lead lessons at the Land of the Giants, and the advanced/trad group, who went to the Zig Zag crag to brush the cobwebs off the trad rack and smash out some sport lead routes. Much was learnt whether it was a first time climbing on real rock, a first time jamming cams into cracks, or shimmying up a crack foot first. As the sun set, the campfires were breathed to life and provided the focal point for rehashing all the routes we sent that day.
Sunday morning came all to quickly after the alcohol assisted sleep, the tents packed, and back to Blackheath we went (that café didn’t know what hit them). Our club took off to Barden’s Lookout and, despite the few tiny showers that had everyone second-guessing the weatherman’s attention span in school, had another spectacular day of climbing. Great views from the top and some first rate sport climbs for all levels were enjoyed.
Special thanks to Matt Macaulay and everyone else involved in organising this classic trip. I know we’re all looking forward to it next year!
By Kyle Schaltz
Women’s Climbing Trip (Semester 2, 2013)
We decided to head to Bangor for some awesome sport climbing (also awesomely convenient as we didn’t have to leave Sydney).
We started the day rappelling down to the bottom of the crag. Nicki went through the process of setting up an anchor for us. We set up some top ropes on a bunch of 13s and 14s and took turns going up, with quite a few people leading their first climb/climbing their inaugural outdoor route!! Most people got quite a few routes done throughout the day.
The weather was amazing and psych was at an operative level. For most of the afternoon we were preoccupied with Monkey Bars, with Min leading it and quite a few others giving it a shot (we also got some fairly awesome photos at this point). Others gave some of the other more challenging routes a shot (which may or may not have culminated in Nicki rescuing a draw stranded mid-route).
Overall, a really great day full of lots of firsts, sun, grit, excellent crags and food! Yay SURMC!
By Georgina Meikle
We decided to head to Bangor for some awesome sport climbing (also awesomely convenient as we didn’t have to leave Sydney).
We started the day rappelling down to the bottom of the crag. Nicki went through the process of setting up an anchor for us. We set up some top ropes on a bunch of 13s and 14s and took turns going up, with quite a few people leading their first climb/climbing their inaugural outdoor route!! Most people got quite a few routes done throughout the day.
The weather was amazing and psych was at an operative level. For most of the afternoon we were preoccupied with Monkey Bars, with Min leading it and quite a few others giving it a shot (we also got some fairly awesome photos at this point). Others gave some of the other more challenging routes a shot (which may or may not have culminated in Nicki rescuing a draw stranded mid-route).
Overall, a really great day full of lots of firsts, sun, grit, excellent crags and food! Yay SURMC!
By Georgina Meikle
If you are interested in writing about a trip you went on with the club, please speak to one of the executives.