Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum

A place for Victorian climbers to hang out and chat about climbing. Anyone can register and post messages.

Climbing News

[ Add ]

8-Aug-2007

Whistling Kite (32) gets 3rd Oz ascent
FROM PHIL BOX

Duncan Steel, a 46 year old Queenslander, has finally sent Whistling Kite (32) This is no
mean feat as it took five days and thirteen shots were necessary to put this monster to bed. Duncan
has finally got this monkey off his back. WK is THE hardest climb in Queensland and in fact is one of
Australias iconic climbs. This send is is only the second by an Australian, the first by a Queenslander
and there have only been five recorded ascents. WK is of course at Frog Buttress in SE Queensland.

I witnessed several of Duncan's unsuccessful attempts. He came very close to sending on several
occasions. This climb requires a very focused aproach and the least amount of a break in
concentration will see one spat off. It is very delicate and balancy. Three quite brutal cruxes will tire
out most climbers. One needs to be very fastidious about body position as mere millimetres will make
a difference. The route ascends an improbable closed and fused seam that somewhat splits an
otherwise seeming blank wall. I doubt if this climb will ever be onsighted, how's that for a gauntlet
thrown down.

So come on southerners, step up to the plate and show the country what you are made of. Oh yes, it
is a trad climb to boot.