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Topic Date User

Berowra: Journos, jitters and jugs 17-May-2010 At 2:34:58 PM f_ladou

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On 17/05/2010 Hans wrote:
>Anyhow. Best ‘til last: the final for the day was Ladder of Gloom (19),
>an excellent climb involving an initial traverse across a minimally-featured
>crux, then a cool rock ladder up to the top. A Brazilian couple were on
>the route before us, making it look pretty easy, so we sat and watched
>as they finished up (and the camera got set up). Josh led first (with camera
>crew filming, and annoyingly asking him to repeat the moves again… and
>again…) and after lowering off pulled the rope. I tied in and got started.
>
>The start psyched me out a little (another, higher, ground fall would
>ensue upon failure) but I found the traverse pretty easy and super fun
>once I took a few breaths. The rock ladder was cool and man the jugs up
>near the top were nice.

I've got a real fondness for Berowra -- I did a lot of my early climbing there. Excellent winter crag but a searing fry-pan in summer. In fact, I almost ended up there on Sunday but elected to go a little further to Blackwall Mountain in Woy-Woy. Anyway...

Ladder of Gloom is such a classic. The traverse is intimidating and rather committing at the end when you try to reach the high hand-holds where the climb really starts. That is until you find the secret evil undercling that makes it real easy... Mwahahahaahhaha...

François