26/02/16
Crushers: Abi P, Vicky C, Nicola T, Daniel D, Ernie J, Kendall G, Sam N, Bayu S, Isabelle K
Hmm... a trip report for bouldering? No, we didn't just complete an epic multi-pitch adventure or log a first ascent. And we certainly didn't have to endure an arduous approach (five minutes from car to crag!). So, why am I writing this? Hopefully it becomes clear by the end of this trip report...
For those of you unfamiliar with bouldering, it's a shorter and more intense form of climbing that incorporates powerful and technical moves. There is no rope, so you're usually never more than a couple of metres from the ground (covered with crash pads). Boulderers are often looked down upon by the nobler climbers, but hey, all the gear you need is a pad and a brush.
With many a pad and a couple of lights squeezed into the car (Nicola and Vicky were somewhere in the middle of all of this), we set off excited and ready to crush.
As the others arrived from the train station, we jumped on some warm ups on Walkdown Wall. Sam, Daniel and Ernie all earned ice cream on a set of highballs (their first time bouldering outdoors). With our fingers feeling primed, the sun setting and the temps continuing to drop, most of us headed to Kenny Boulder whilst Vicky and Nicola plugged away at a V5 traverse. Kenny Boulder is one of the coolest I've ever seen - it's a series of flakes that make for great smear/layback problems. Ernie led the way with a great send which we happily repeated for us on request.
With some sweet sendage in our bag, we decided to move on to the mega classic V3, Pipe Dreams. Pipe Dreams is the perfect boulder. A large variety of powerful and technical moves on good rock. It was on this problem that many of us were reminded about another joy of bouldering: the teamwork. It sounds silly because you're the only one climbing, but, more often than not, you'll need a hand drilling out an efficient and practical beta.
With some very solid attempts from the group (including some standout runs by Vicky and Nicola) and the lights running out of juice, we decided to call it for the night, determined to come back and crush once more.
So, have you figured out why I wrote this trip report? No? Well because Sam, Daniel and Ernie still owe us ice-cream. Get on it!!
Thanks to Kendall for the great photos