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ClimbingNT Trip Report - 2nd October 2010 12-Oct-2010 At 1:35:22 PM ClimbingNT

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ClimbingNT Trip Report - Top End climbers battle the heat to tread the path of Legends.

*beep beep* *beep BEEEEPPP*

I let out a mental groan as my hand fumbled in direction the alarm. It’s too early for this. Blankets are pulled tight.

'Maztruck' stands waiting as I shuffle my gear back and forth. Humming, the truck’s wheels turn left onto the highway, a purple glow soon appears to our left as we roll down the empty bitumen. It is now a meager 6am.

Before long a lone figure appears on the side of the road. Sitting on a pipe, hair tusseled but with the unmistakable smile of a climber about to embark on a climbing trip. His black dyed toenails furrow some brows but we pull over and invite him aboard anyway. Dan and Brendan arrive shortly later, and the convoy continues to head south.

The sun starts to unleash its fury as we pull into the collection of buildings that mark Adelaide River. The Mangold Hummer, with its talismanic chains, joins the convoy and we head to the start of the 4wd track. Ridgelines, sandy water beds, river crossings all succumb to the convoy’s drivers 4wd credentials and before long we reach a cluster of rocks that marks the bouldering warm up area. Two to three metre boulders of associated shapes rise out of the savannah dust and we set up about working them. A number of V0s to V2s are conquered before tired hands and sweaty brows force us to head back to the main course of the day – “NARD”.

A quick ‘detour’ and a lucky break and we rediscover the rarely trodden “NARD” track. We soon park the cars and step out into an ominous blackened smouldering bushline. Unperturbed we set about moving up into the towering sandstone pillars presented before us.

We settled on three climbs, two on the main face of one of the ‘Twin Towers’ and one on the backside of previous said pillar. Going at grade17(S**), 20(S**) and another 20(S**) Fin and Ryan set about conquering their respective climbs.

By this time the temperature is bordering 40C in the shade, and the rubber on my shoes is starts to scald my feet. Sitting on the top of the boulder working on anchors, fixing ropes becomes a race against heatstroke as the space of the top carrots proves troublesome.

Everyone had a shot at climbing Twin Towers, with Brendan attempting his first outdoor climb, always a nervy experience. Dan also climbed the 17 accompanied by a tirade of profanity. I knew exactly how he felt. Clinging, metres off the ground, far above your last pro on tenuous and sketchy holds is rarely conducive to calm, peaceful words.

Whilst this was happening, all the non-climbers sought sanctuary in the shade, as I set up working on another boulder problem on the eastern side of the twin tower pillar. Probably going at V5-V6, the problem goes from two side pulls, to a reverse crimp, to a reachy three finger pocket. Once gained the pocket needs a crank to allow you to gain the top two finger pocket. The bulge in the rock tries to push you off until you gain the slopey ledge and complete the problem. The problem is hard and made exceedingly difficult by the sharp edges of the sandstone.

With the heat soaring and stomachs rebelling for food, it was time to head to the cool waters of Robin falls and fire up Chris’ infamous BBQ. Snags and beer were enjoyed by everyone. As the heat began to leave the day, 'maztruck' turned left and we started to head back to Darwin, the sun casting a purple glow on our left once more.

(Trip Report written by Scott Cann)

LOCAL AREA
The entire area is littered with Sandstone pinnacles to around 12m in height. It is 4WD access only approximately 4km from the southern area. The carrying of recovery gear and good knowledge of 4WD techniques is well advised. Rock is on average better than the southern area, and the topography is flatter making for better access, due to the number of pinnacles available

TECHNICAL INFO
Boulder Projects - V0
Boulder Projects - V2/V4
Boulder Projects - V5/V6
Hizbolah - Grade 20 Climb
Al Colads - Grade 17 Climb
'Unnamed Direct' - Grade 20 Climb

TRIP CLIMBERS
Fin - Lead Climber for Al Colads and Unnamed Direct
Ryan Mangold - Lead Climber for Hizbolah and Unnamed Direct
Chris - Climber
Scott - Climber
Dan - Climber
Brendan - Beginner Climber

For more photos and details on the trip, visit: www.climbingnt.net.au