Any Rock Climbers out there??

Why go indoors in Oz when you have so much gorgeous rock?

(Aside from the risk of sticking your hand into a funnel-webs home...does this affect the grading?)

This thread really makes me want to head up to Ilkley quarry. Beautiful gritstone climbs, loads of nice boulder problems, and a good pub less than 2 minutes walk from the climbs.

Perfect weather for it at the moment too.

*shakes fist*
Curse you and your good quality local rocks!

The best i have is a sideways sandpit 45 minutes drive away.

Sandstone is some of the most awful stuff ever. Had a couple of nuts rip out on me doing trad on a sandstone climb - it was the first and last time I've climbed the stuff.

Shouldn't you have a fair bit of limestone down there?

Only on the Dorset coast which is a good 2 hours drive away, 2.5 for sport climbing.

You're not allowed to trad climb on Sandstone anymore - top-rope or solo only... It's odd.
There's always the option of chalk - if you're a mentalist.

Because as a 16year old highschool students it's largely impossible to get to those places after school for practise and then for the day trip for the competition.

Even as a 22 year old uni student juggling a part-time job with no drivers license it's largely impossible to get to those places even for a weekend trip away.

Tasmanian Seastacks. I *really* want to be let loose on those babies....

Rougie - i hear you Time is a rare commodity...

I did some climbing at Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, and some exciting soloing/scrambling at the Glasshouse mountains near Brizzy.

Bouldering Wave Rock would be a challenge

*nods* nods*

I find a big thing is, if I went outside I would have to have my own rope and harness (which I do) and shoes (which I have) and all the other little pieces that go with it (which I don't have) and you also have to have someone comfortable with lead climbing...

It's just easier going indoor.

And I only know of one place near Perth where you can go outdoor... Other places would be hours away... we're pretty flat down here.

I do not have rope, but have a harness, shoes and helmet. I also have some quickdraws. A good friend of mine has some draws as well as a rope and the basics.

Together we can do pretty much any climb we want to, unless it needs a stupidly long rope....

*bumpity*

I bought a dvd called 'The Sharp End' yesterday. Probably the best climbing film I've seen. Some people be crazy. My favourite was the highball bouldering stuff, but theres also some huge big wall stuff, crazy guys climbing sandstone columns in, um, Austria I think, and a bloke who climbs the north face of the Eiger with nothing but a base jumping pack.

Highly recommended

Yeah - had seen that and was quite tempted, that of "on sight" which has had good reviews.

I've got King Lines which is a bit of a Sharma fest but has some insane climbing in, an Doasge V which is heavily boulder-based but good nonetheless (Yay for Dave Graham!)

Just confirmed a climbing trip to Sardinia in March - can't wait
Shiney new 80m rope is just sitting here taunting me.

Also doing lots more regular training to get in shape for the trip, want to be leading 6b for when we go out.

oooo niiice. Will you really need an 80m rope? Can see that being a real tiring pitch!

I'm just trying to get out more, been an indoor monkey of late. Off over to Malham in a few weeks for a weekend on the sport routes, tho TBH they all look a bit hard for me so its probably going to be a weekend of of enjoyable failures.

Been invited on a trip doing some multi-pitching in Borrowdale too but not done much trad recently so holding back on a decision until I see how I feel out on the grit over the next couple of weeks, don't wanna end up being dragged all the way up on second :s

I am a rock climber! Although I haven't been yet this year, too cold...

I am so out of condition.

Going to get onto some sea cliffs at Morgan's Bay just befre getting back to uni though. I should be able to lead 6b (21) again after a few weeks heavy training.

Found a book called "The Villain" in the library about Don Whillans. Phenomenal man, even if he annoyed people....

I love that place. And Gordale scar would be such a great location for a spin vid.

So I'm told! Never been up that way before but my usual camping/treking partner raves about the place

Well - there's a 40m Grade-5 which sounds good fun, have been running 4 indoor routes in a row to get ready for that - but it was partly future proofing. We've already got a 50m rope, so thought might as well get a long one. Rather too much than too little

Might try and squeeze in some bouldering or maybe even Avon gorge after BoB if you're interested? There's some bouldering quite nearby I believe

Yeah that sounds really good actually. I'll have to check when Petes wanting to drive back but if I've time I'm definately in.

le sigh - http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/environment/article5497028.ece

That's 4 enviromental protection orders swept aside due to an emergency planning consent passed after the war.

(The relevance being Portland is the UK's premier sport climbing venue)

Grrrr